The severity of the infection was lower than last year as herd immunity has now developed in cattle. file | photo credit: Arun Kulkarni
With Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Karnataka and Sikkim reporting fresh cases of lumpy skin disease in May, the Union Ministry of Animal Husbandry reviewed the situation, concluding that the situation was under control despite 10,000 cases in the past two weeks. Observing that there is no need to panic, it urged that vaccination be increased.
After meeting with the states, ministry officials and scientists said that the infection is not as contagious as it was last year. Animal Husbandry Commissioner Abhijeet Mitra said, “The cases are less because of the protection given by the vaccination done last year.” Hindu, Almost all cases in Uttarakhand are new, but some cases in Karnataka and Maharashtra were reported before May.
In the meeting, the ministry urged the states to ensure that the vaccination drive is ramped up. About nine crore cattle have been vaccinated so far and the recovery rate is above 94%. The Center had issued a circular in March asking to speed up vaccination before the monsoon. Dr. Mitra said that the vaccines protected the animals; Without vaccination, the infection would have been much more contagious.
herd immunity
Regional Animal Husbandry Director Vijay Teotia told that more than 10,000 cattle have been infected in this wave of epidemic which started about three weeks ago. “There is no major problem. The cases are from Uttarakhand, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Sikkim. No confirmed case from Rajasthan. Vaccination is going on in all the states.” He said that the states have sufficient stock of vaccines.
He said the severity of the infection was less than last year as herd immunity has now developed in the cattle. States are also following central guidelines on treatment and surveillance. “We have informed all the states about the measures to be taken. A central team has visited Maharashtra and another team will soon visit Uttarakhand and Karnataka to monitor the situation.
The Center has also asked states to take precautions as vector diseases spread during monsoon. Apart from vaccination, the Center has asked states to undertake fogging and disinfection drives in risk areas to avoid the spread of diseases. Dr. Tewatia said, ‘Everything is under control.’
mass vaccination
Most cases of this wave have been reported in Uttarakhand. State Animal Welfare Minister Saurabh Bahuguna said Hindu There are currently 6,600 active cases of lumpy skin disease in the state. In the last 10 to 12 days, 128 animals have died due to infection. “We are trying to reduce it. Last year, we had 36,000 cases. We have vaccinated more than eight lakh cattle so far. Recovery rate is good. We have limitations as it is a hill state. But this time we will manage it like we did last year,’ Mr. Bahuguna said.
The maximum number of cases are from Kumaon division, he said, adding that additional teams of doctors and officials have been deployed there. “We have imposed a statewide ban on the transportation of cattle. The first priority is to vaccinate maximum number of cattle. We have enough vaccines in stock. We are trying to convince the farmers to get their cattle vaccinated and insured on the same day. 90% of the insurance premium is paid by the government. Vaccination and insurance campaigns are going on side by side.