2 suspected lumpy skin cases surface in East S’bhum, 12 teams to inspect cattle

Jamshedpur: District animal husbandry department has formed separate teams in each of the 12 blocks in East Singhbhum to inspect the cattle (cows), which are unwell, and take preventive steps in the wake of two suspected cases of lumpy skin disease surfacing from the district on Tuesday. The teams are also asked to advise cattle owners about dos and don’ts in the event of any unwell cattle in their stocks.
District veterinary officer Rajesh Kumar on Wednesday said, “Serum sample of the two cows has been sent to the livestock research centre in Ranchi for confirmation. Reports are awaited but they are found with symptoms of lumpy skin." He said that samples belonged to one cow each from Patamda and Ghatshila block. “The two cows have been removed from the herd and are under observation,” the official said.
Further, milking of the two cows has also been stopped.
At the same time, cattle farmers in the surrounding areas have been advised to be watchful about the condition of their cattle.
The veterinary official said that the lumpy virus does not transmit from cattle to human, but milk consumers are advised to boil the milk before drinking.
The Indian Council of Medical Research and Indian Institute of Medical Science have confirmed in their study report that milk of the virus infected cow does not cause any risk to humans, as far as the transmission of the disease is concerned, said the veterinary official.
"In the larger interest of the public health, it is advisable to drink milk after proper boiling," official added.
The teams visited the cattle sheds in Patamda, Boram, Ghatshila and in the periphery of the Steel City for conducting survey on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, 1,000 vaccines have arrived in the district for the cows to prevent them from contracting the contagious lumpy virus. The official said 1,000 more vaccines will come soon, and vaccination of the cattle will be done on priority basis.