Govt takes measures to mitigate lumpy skin disease in cattle

Panaji: In order to minimise the economic impact of the outbreak of lumpy skin disease (LSD) and to control its spread, the directorate of animal husbandry and veterinary services (AHVS) undertook two rounds of mass prophylactic vaccination against the disease on healthy animals.
In addition, deworming tablets were distributed to dairy farmers free of cost and emergency medicines were procured and supplied to field establishments for judicious use in healthy and infected animals.
The AHVS said that it has requisitioned the central government for additional vaccines.
Previously, all LSD vaccines were purchased by the state government.
Various measures to combat LSD such as the formation of a dedicated rapid response team for the North and South Goa districts, were also initiated. All affected animals were treated by the area veterinary officers, and a district level monitoring committee was formed for both districts under the chairmanship of the collectors.
The health authorities also undertook fogging and disinfection of affected areas under the supervision of the collector and village panchayat authorities.
Area veterinary officers sensitised locals and dairy farmers about LSD, both individually and at the village panchayat level.
“Surveillance is also being undertaken, and the animal population is being monitored. The state is awaiting the centralised plan for LSD ,” the AHVS said.
Besides LSD, a mass vaccination programme is under way for brucellosis, and vaccination will commence shortly for foot and mouth disease (FMD).
Till date 18 rounds of mass vaccination have been undertaken for FMD.