Nagaland government issues guidelines to prevent spread of Lumpy Skin Disease

The state government issued on Monday a list of dos and don’ts to prevent the transmission and impact of lumpy skin disease (LSD) and asked the stakeholders to adhere to it.

DIMAPUR —  The state government issued on Monday a list of dos and don’ts to prevent the transmission and impact of lumpy skin disease (LSD) and asked the stakeholders to adhere to it.

Stating that LSD is a significant viral ailment affecting cattle and buffaloes caused by the capripox virus, the guidelines asked the stakeholders, which included farmers, traders, and the public, for prompt isolation of infected animals, avoiding the introduction of suspected or febrile nodular skin-diseased animals to farms, minimising common grazing areas to prevent direct contact, and controlling vector populations using insecticides and repellents.

It further suggested applying ectoparasiticides to healthy animals, disinfecting farm areas and vehicles carrying cattle using appropriate disinfectants, using protective gear when handling infected animals, implementing strong bio-security measures, closing cattle markets near epicentres, and banning live cattle trade, fairs, shows, and movement to curb transmission.

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According to a DIPR report, people have been asked to drain stagnant pools of urine and water around cowshed premises, quarantine new animals for a month before introducing them to the herd, practise scientific disposal of carcasses, report to veterinary health centres for clinical surveillance, and raise awareness among all stakeholders.

The guidelines stated that the illness results in a fever followed by the formation of stiff, round cutaneous nodules on the body. These nodules, ranging from 2 to 5 cm in diameter, lead to reduced milk yield, diminished draught power, abortions, infertility, and economic losses in the cattle trade.

Also read: Nagaland declared lumpy skin disease positive state