July 6, 2023

Lumpy skin disease outbreak kills 11,000 livestock in Nepal

Lumpy skin disease has rapidly spread throughout Sudurpaschim province in Nepal, resulting in approximately 11,000 livestock killed, The Himalayan Times reported.

All nine districts in the province have been affected, with Doti, Achham, and Bajhang experiencing the highest number of cases, especially in areas near the Indian border.

According to the country’s Livestock Disease Research Laboratory in Dhangadi, Sudurpaschim province has witnessed a significantly higher number of infected animals compared to other provinces. Currently, out of the 298,000 infected animals in the province, more than 10,900 have been killed by the disease.

The outbreak has affected around 12.7% of the total population of cows and buffaloes in the province, which amounts to 1,582,000 animals. Among the infected animals, there are 79,188 cows, 77,471 bulls, 39,888 calves, and 5,051 buffaloes.

Veterinarians recommend proper management of sheds, maintaining cleanliness, and regular vaccination as preventive measures to control the disease. Since there is no specific treatment method available, managing infected animals focuses on addressing their symptoms. The doctor in charge of the Livestock Disease Research Laboratory in Dhangadi said there is an urgent need for local authorities to allocate a budget for disease control, as the outbreak has reached epidemic proportions in the province.

Hemraj Awasthi, the chief doctor of the Regional Livestock Training Centre in Dhangadi, said that farmers suffered significant losses due to the disease-related deaths of their cows and oxen. This has had a profound impact on those dependent on dairy farming and cattle raising for their livelihood.

Nepal’s Department of Livestock Services advises separating infected cows and buffaloes from the rest of the herd and providing them with rest, clean water, and appropriate medication, such as Paracetamol or Meloxicam, to alleviate fever.

To prevent further spread of the disease, infected and uninfected areas should be kept separate, wounds should be cleaned, and antiseptic ointment should be applied to affected areas. In severe cases with multiple lumps, antibiotic injections may be necessary, as recommended by experts.

-      The Himalayan Times