Lumpy Skin Disease kills cows in Shillong

SHILLONG, May 30: A number of cows in Shillong have died reportedly due to Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), which has been notified by the state government.
Some people who rear cows in Pynthorumkrah cow shelters said that the disease has been affecting cows for the last one-two months
It was informed that around 8-9 cows have died recently due to the sickness.
According to them, the cows usually get fever and within few days, they start getting weak and form lumps in their bodies.
It is said that doctors from Animal Husbandry and Veterinary department have also treated many sick cows.
As per reports, the outbreak of Lumpy skin disease or LSD has affected many states in India since May last year.
India reported the first-ever LSD outbreak in August 2019.
LSD is a contagious epizootic disease caused by the Capri pox virus, which spreads among cattle. The major mode of transmission is vector-borne. There is no specific treatment for LSD. The current preventive measures include vaccination, movement control of bovine animals and quarantining, implementing biosecurity through vector control.
When contacted, officials from the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary department said that there will be fatalities but there is a treatment and the disease can be controlled.
The officers also said that a team of the department will visit these shelters on Wednesday to take stock of the situation and the department has also issued dos and don’ts.
Vaccines are also being given to healthy animals to prevent the spread of LSD in areas affected by the disease and farmers have been asked to contact nearby dispensary
Earlier, the government had notified select villages to be infected by the Lumpy Skin Disease based on the result of the test samples dated April 28, 2023.
The ‘infected villages’ according to the government notification included Sumer, Mawlyngkhung, Umpyrdong-Umden, Umkon-Umden, Saiden-Nongpoh and Jyntru-Nongpoh under Umsning C&RD Block in Ri-Bhoi and Rangthong under Mawkyrwat C&RD Block in South West Khasi Hills.