As their cattle collapse across fields, stricken with the fatal lumpy skin disease, farmers across India watch in despair. The worst-affected state is Rajasthan, where more than 50,000 livestock have perished since July.
Nodules develop on the skin as a result of the virus-based illness, which is transferred by flies or mosquitoes and does not affect humans.
In Gujarat’s Kutch region, the first instance of infection was reported in April. Since July, about 75,000 cattle have died.
This week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that the government is committed to immunising all livestock by the year 2025. In Gujarat and Rajasthan, footage from a drone shows horrifying scenes of diseased livestock. Since July, the disease has rapidly expanded throughout the more than eight states that are impacted.
All cattle in the affected states are receiving the “goat pox vaccine.” The vaccine is “100% successful,” according to the authorities, in preventing lumpy skin disorder. Over 50,000 deaths have been reported in Rajasthan thus far. According to officials, the state experiences 600–700 deaths every day.
In Gujarat and Rajasthan, footage from a drone shows horrifying scenes of diseased livestock. Since July, the disease has rapidly expanded throughout the more than eight states that are impacted.
All cattle in the affected states are receiving the “goat pox vaccine.” The vaccine is “100% effective,” according to the authorities, in preventing lumpy skin disorder.
Maharashtra has established a special task force, and Jalgaon and Amravati are being given particular attention.
How to contain infected cattle to stop the outbreak from spreading, as well as the proper disposal of dead cattle, are of utmost importance. For farmers, infected animals might result in infertility, exhibit fever, and poor milk production. All of these things have a significant financial impact. For this illness, an Indian-made vaccine has been created, and it should be usable in three to four months.
Source: NDTV
