August 19, 2025

Close to 10,000 cattle in Maharashtra, India, hit by LSD

As many as 9,8230 cattle have been affected by the latest outbreak of the lumpy skin disease (LSD) in Maharashtra, India, resulting in the death of 339 of them, according to the Animal Husbandry department, which has claimed vaccination of 93% of the state's cattle population against the disease.

Pravinkumar Deore, Commissioner of Animal Husbandry, said they have begun vaccinating calves as well. "The animals in Maharashtra have almost achieved herd immunity. We are now focusing on the few strays that may have missed vaccination," he said.

The current outbreak is now centred around Pune, Satara, Solapur, Ahilyanagar, and Jalgaon districts of Maharashtra. The Animal Husbandry department has stated that, unlike previous outbreaks, this one is much milder and is restricted to only certain pockets.

Previously, it was believed that maternal immunity was transmitted during pregnancy in animals, but the department has now begun mass immunisation of calves as well.

Maharashtra is set to become the first state in the country to develop its own vaccine for the disease, named Lumpi-ProVac. This vaccine is currently being developed at the Animal Husbandry department's institute in Aundh.

"The vaccine is in its trial stage, and we expect commercial rollout to begin in December," said Deore.

- The Indian Express