18k cows infected with Lumpy skin disease

A total of 18,324 cows have been infected with the viral disease of Lumpy skin in 13 districts of Bagmati province.

Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development of Bagmati Province, Dr Sharan Kumar Pandey, said the highest number of cases was seen in Makwanpur. Altogether 4,835 cows in Makwanpur have been infected and 197 cows have perished.

Likewise, 9,634 infections and 47 deaths have occurred in Sindhuli district, 1,965 cows in Ramechhap and 1,600 cows in Chitwan have been infected.

Secretary Pandey said that so far only cows have been infected and buffaloes have not been infected with the disease. Likewise, 83 cows in Kathmandu, 40 in Lalitpur, 400 in Kavre, 300 in Nuwakot, 6 in Sindhupalchowk and one cow in Bhaktapur have been found suffering from the viral disease.

Secretary Pandey said that although the death rate of animals due to the disease is low (about five percent), there is a significant decrease in milk production (up to 80 percent).

Meanwhile, the ministry has instructed the veterinary hospital and animal health service expert center in the district to start the vaccination program as soon as possible after spreading public awareness among the farmers and all stakeholders about the cause, symptoms, damage to the farmer and control and prevention of the disease.

At present, 1,500 doses of vaccination are being administered in Makwanpurgadhi Rural Municipality Ward No. 5 of Makwanpur district and the disease control committee has been formed to carry out control activities including treatment, he said.

The Ministry is also preparing to develop and implement the Lumpy Skin Disease Control and Prevention Strategy, 2080 within a few days to make the disease control and prevention work systematic and effective.