Lumpy Skin Disease has taken the lives of over 67,000 cows across 9 states in India in a short period of time. While Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir are among the most affected ones, some stray cases of the disease are also reported from Andhra Pradesh and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
So, what is this Lumpy Skin Disease affecting the cattle?
Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) is caused by the genus Capripoxvirus from the family Poxviridae, primarily affecting cows and Asian water buffalo. Several painful lumps grow all over their skin, followed by fever, discharge from the eyes and nostrils, and loss of appetite that can further weaken them.
The virus is fatal and can reduce the quantity and affect the quality of milk produced. This disease is contagious and primarily transmitted by blood-feeding insects such as flies, mosquitoes, and ticks that are inevitable in crowded cowsheds. LSD was reported for the first time in Odisha, India, in 2019. The statistics for 2022 are far more frightening indicating a disastrous scenario.
With no proper facilities to isolate the infected cows, the spread of the disease is faster. Without proper infrastructure and care, the lives of thousands of cows and little calves are in jeopardy. Without healthy cattle, the livelihood of many small and marginal dairy farmers will be further affected. To add to the misery, infected cows are often abandoned by their owners, leaving them vulnerable to hunger, death, and further spread of disease.
A gaushala can become a graveyard if an infected cow is not isolated for 28 days
Fever and nasal discharge are the first signs of lumpy skin conditions in cows. A decrease in milk output is followed by more severe symptoms like corneal ulcers leading to blindness and even miscarriages in pregnant cows and buffaloes.
There are still no antiviral drugs available to save the cows from this fast-spreading disease. However, with supportive care, there is a possibility to improve their health and conditions. Vaccination is the only preventive measure to safeguard cows from the miserable consequences. While the government is taking several steps to vaccinate as much livestock as possible and reduce the spread of this deadly disease, there is always an issue with help reaching too late.
“These poor animals can’t express their pain but one can only imagine how they might be feeling with multiple pus-filled blisters on their body. They’re weak and tired and many have even stopped eating. The situation is worry-inducing and we need all the support we can get now,” – Amar Kumar, Shree Krishna Charitable Trust.
There is an urgent need not only for veterinary care and preventive measures against the disease but also to build separate shelters for isolating affected animals. NGOs like Shree Krishna Charitable Trust, in association with Donatekart have taken up the initiative to aid and conserve the Gaushalas in order to curb the outbreak of this deadly disease. The volunteers are working tirelessly to break the chain of spread.
To know more about Lumpy Skin Disease and its consequences on innocent animals, please click here.
At Donatekart, we’re constantly striving to curate the most relevant and engaging content just for you. If you loved reading this, then world animal day will grab your attention too.
