Soon, vet dept to hold third vax round for cattle to control LSD

Panaji: In a bid to further control the spread of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) among milch cows, the directorate of animal husbandry and veterinary services (AHVS) will conduct the third round of vaccination for cattle in two weeks’ time.
Currently, there are 37 cases of LSD among cattle, and there has been only one death so far. The bovine population of Goa is about 85,000. There has been no case detected in buffaloes.
“As soon as the government of India gives us the go-ahead, we shall start the third round of vaccination. This will be a mass vaccination drive, which will be completed before the monsoon,” said AHVS director, Agostinho Misquita.
As one of the ways the disease spreads is through worms, ticks and fleas, about seven to eight Ivermectin tablets per animal were also prescribed for the cattle.
To further ensure that the disease is kept at bay, the Khamdhenu scheme has been put on hold. The scheme allows farmers to source cattle from neighbouring states. There is a temporary ban on the entry and transportation of milch cows to Goa. However, as a ripple effect, milk production in Goa is decreasing.
“There is a serious shortage of milk. We are not sure for how long we can keep pushing the ban. Even if we open the borders, we will have to do so cautiously. We will not approve the entry of all animals because we need to have control. It will be marginal,” he said.
The AHVS is therefore planning to monitor the entire process, right from procurement till delivery.
“The empanelled agency must procure the animals from spots where animals are not affected by LSD. Even the farmers themselves cannot travel to the infected areas. All these regulations will be put in place,” said Misquita.
Besides LSD, a mass vaccination programme is under way for brucellosis, and vaccination will commence shortly for foot and mouth disease (FMD).