Bar on AP-Gajapati cattle movement

Berhampur: To prevent the spread of lumpy skin disease (LSD) of cattle from the neighbouring state, the Gajapati district administration on Saturday closed the Paralakhemundi cattle market and imposed restrictions on movement of livestock from Andhra Pradesh to Odisha.
“The disease has been reported in Srikakulam district. As a preventive measure, we have asked veterinary officials to ensure that no cattle is moved from Andhra Pradesh to Gajapati,” said Gajapati collector Lingraj Panda.
“Hundreds of animals are brought together from Odisha and Andhra at the Paralakhemundi haat every Saturday. The disease could spread from the haat. So, we decided to shut the market for an indefinite period. However, there is no need to panic as the disease has not been reported from anywhere in the district so far,” he added. The disease has killed thousands of cattle since its outbreak in July in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. Some cases have also been reported from Andhra Pradesh and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Chief district veterinary officer Girish Kumar Mohanty said the state government has alerted the bordering districts, including Gajapati and Ganjam, about the disease. “As per the collector’s order, we have deployed staff and created awareness among cattle farmers in Kashinagar, Goshani and Rayagada blocks. Farmers have been asked to report to local veterinary officers if they found any symptom of the disease like fever and skin nodules in livestock,” he added.
The animals will be vaccinated soon, Mohanty said. “Vaccines are expected to arrive from the government in two days. Around 16,000 cattle in 78 border villages in Kashinagar, Goshani and Rayagada blocks will be vaccinated on a priority basis.” Mosquitoes, flies, lice and wasps spread the disease through direct contact with cattle.