Farmers Alarmed Over Lumpy Skin Disease

Cattle farmers and dairy owners in rural areas of Jand tehsil have expressed alarm over a spread of lumpy skin disease among their livestock. Authorities are urged to take immediate preventive action before the virus becomes more widespread. Infected animals have been reported in Pind Suktani, Aurangabad, Injra, Khattakabad, Kani, Mathail, Kotwali, Thatta, and Chabb.

Farmer Ahmed Khan explained that the disease could spread through tick and mosquito bites, particularly in stagnant water and unhygienic conditions. He noted that the disease leads to painful nodules and swellings on the skin, along with fever, loss of appetite, and weakness. The disease often severely impacts milk production and overall health of the infected animals.

Despite the growing number of suspected cases, farmers are struggling to procure vaccines due to the high cost. At local veterinary stores, a single vaccine dose is being sold for around Rs11,000. Farmer Haji Irshad has called for urgent intervention to stop the disease from causing significant economic losses to farmers. The Livestock Department has been criticized for weak disease surveillance, limited field monitoring, inadequate vaccination efforts, and poor public awareness campaigns.

Deputy Director Livestock Development Dr Yasir Mustafa Butt dismissed the outbreak claims, stating that the department's Disease Investigation Department was actively monitoring the situation.