August 28, 2023

Pune, Maharashtra, India, sees worrying increase in cattle infected with LSD

Pune, Maharashtra, India, has witnessed a rise in lumpy skin disease (LSD) infections among its cattle population since July-end, despite mass immunisation being conducted.

Since the third week of July, as many as 1,284 cattle have been infected and at least 35 have died in the district so far, said officials of the state animal husbandry department.

The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has appointed teams to immunise and treat cattle in their jurisdiction.

Since July, 98% of Pune's cattle population have been vaccinated. However, officials claimed the efficacy of the vaccine is around 72%; this means a cattle can still get infected again.

"The immunisation doesn't give any assurance for 100% protection from the infection," said Vishnu Garje, a district animal husbandry officer.
 

- Hindustan Times