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Efforts to curb spread of Lumpy Skin Disease among cattle
View(s):The disease spreading among cattle is being gradually brought under control while local authorities are developing vaccines to be used, officials said.
The Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) virus has spread among cattle in the North, North Central, North Western, and Eastern Provinces, affecting a high number.
The virus attacks cattle and buffaloes and does not seem to infect any other animals such as goats. The disease affects cattle of all ages; the young, milking animals, and all breeds.
Symptoms include the appearance of nodules Pic by Romesh Madusanka
Sri Lanka Veterinary Association, President, Doctor Dilan Satharasinghe told the Sunday Times that if the cattle have a good immune system, they will get over the disease within a short time.
He said a vaccine is available named the Lumpy Skin Disease Vaccine. Local authorities have also taken steps to produce another vaccine in case the vaccine quantity is insufficient.
He said there won’t be a huge impact on Sri Lanka’s dairy industry because the cattle in the Central Province haven’t yet been affected. There could be a major downfall in the economy if and when the Central Province is affected, he pointed out.
An official from the Department of Animal Production and Health Department – North Western Province, said that around 2,300 cattle infections were reported in the Divisional Veterinary Offices of their province.
It is recommended to keep infected cattle isolated. The disease is mainly transmitted by mosquitoes, ticks, and flies that bite cows, and rarely by direct contact with infected cows. Poor care and farm management are the causes of the spread of this virus, the official added.
“The symptoms of this virus are: a decrease in the milk production of cows, a high fever, a lack of appetite, and small nodules or lumps appearing on the skin of cattle. Officials must inform veterinary doctors regarding any cattle that contracted this skin disease,” the official added.
Last Monday, the North Western Provincial Animal Production and Health Department prohibited the transportation of cattle in and out of the province in order to prevent the spread of the disease.
Ignoring the instructions given by the Department, some people have transported cattle from areas where the disease has spread, to other areas.
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