4 October 2022, Jodhpur, Rajasthan

The Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) has emerged as a very serious health threat for cattle population in Rajasthan adversely affecting both health and milk production in bovines of the region. The milk production was reduced up to 50 % in some distrcts causing severe loss to the dairy farmers. In jurisdiction area of ICAR-CAZRI, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Jodhpur-I, the field survey in the villages was conducted to reveal that the affected dairy  cattle had skin lesions with inappetence, high fever and  a production loss and around 10 % animals succumbed to the disease due to secondary infection and lack of proper care.

To create farmer awareness and facilitate the management of LSD at farm level, KVK Jodhpur-I, organized 2 awareness programmes at villages Lawari (Bhopalgarh), Manai (Keru) and adjoining areas with participation of more than 200 livestock farmers. In these programmes Dr. N.V. Patil, Dr. A.K.Patel and Dr. Subhash Kachhawaha  discussed in detail  about the prevention and clinical management of LSD. Two animal health camps were also organized for the treatment in the villages of outbreak areas and to demonstrate the first aid care of sick animals. The livestock farmers were advised to not panic about disease. For the treatment and control the disease, only adopt scientific, validate technologies and advised to take necessary precautions to restrict transmission of disease in healthy animals by taking care of sanitation/disinfection around the housing structures. The prompt isolation of diseased animal and disposal of dead animals by proper burial was also advised. It was also stressed to restrict movement of sick animals and keep them in closed enclosures. To control vectors of disease viz.mosquitos, flies and ticks to check the spread in healthy animals and necessary measures were suggested. As an advisory of LSD, KVK distributed 3000 pamphlets to the livestock farmers. More than 200 cattle were vaccinated for LSD, 3211 animal’s treatment advice and 3814 cattle were vaccinated with Goat pox vaccines with the help of State animal husbandry department officials. A team of experts led by Dr. N.V.Patil, Head, Division of Livestock production and management, CAZRI, Jodhpur, along with other animal husbandry scientists visited the field for attending sick animals and gave the necessary advisory on the spot. Dr. Subhash Kachhawaha, SMS (Vet. Sci.) monitored the post recovery care of animals to minimize the production losses.

(Source: Incharge AKMU Cell, ICAR-CAZRI, KVK- Jodhpur-I)