Lumpy skin disease outbreak: UP gears up to safeguard cattle; puts ban on cattle fairs & inter-state transport from 5 states

In the wake of the lumpy skin disease wreaking havoc on the cattle population across several states in the northern and western parts of the country, the Uttar Pradesh government has enforced a ban on cattle fairs and inter-state transport of cattle to and from the neighbouring states of Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh.

"Organizing [sic] cattle fairs in the state should be postponed till the situation becomes normal. Farmers should be given complete information about the symptoms and treatment of infection. According to the need, the entry of animals from the bordering states of the state should be banned. Entry of unnecessary people into cow shelters should be banned," the government stated in an official press release.

Also, in a letter issued to the the state police and district administrations on August 23, Avanish Kumar Awasthi, additional chief secretary in the Home Department, directed the authorities to mantain vigil on the intra-state movement of cattle especially from the western districts towards the eastern parts of the state.

"The infected cattle should be provided with timely treatment by the Animal Husbandry Department. Also, the suspected animals should be isolated and the rest of the cattle should be vaccinated against the viral infection," the letter mentioned.

The press statement also mentioned that special vaccination campaign for animals is necessary for protecting them against lumpy virus. "Support will also be received from the Government of India for the availability of the vaccine. In case of death of the infected animal, the cremation should be done following the protocol. Ensure that under no circumstances, infection spreads," it added.

What is lumpy skin disease?

According to a paper published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in 2020, the disease was first observed in the African nation of Zambia in 1929. The disease is transmitted by blood-feeding insects, such as certain species of flies and mosquitoes, or ticks. It causes fever, nodules [lumps] on the animal's skin and can also lead to death.

"Since the first observation of the disease in Zambia in 1929, LSD has spread progressively and extensively throughout Africa, the Middle East, Southeastern Europe, Central Asia, and more recently South Asia and China," the paper titled Introduction and spread of lumpy skin disease in South, East and Southeast Asia mentioned. The fatality rate of the disease is around 10 per cent and the ability to produce milk in the cattle gets seriously compromised. In India the lumpy skin disease was first reported from West Bengal in 2019.

Outbreak in more than 8 states/UTs; 7,300 animals dead

The lumpy skin viral outbreak has reportedly affected the cattle population across eight states and Union Territories in India with at least 7,300 animals dead. What is unique in this year's outbreak is that it has originated from the western states as opposed to the eastward origin of the disease in 2019.

As per news reports, about 74,325 cattle have been affected in Punjab so far, while 58,546 in Gujarat, 43,962 in Rajasthan, 6,385 in Jammu and Kashmir, 1,300 in Uttarakhand, 532 in Himachal Pradesh, and 260 in Andaman & Nicobar.