Rajasthan: Lumpy disease kills 30,000 cows while 50,000 are infected, deer also affected

Skin diseases in livestock increasing concern for government, and the disease has spread to more than 16 districts.

Sawai Madhopur— Lumpy skin disease is spreading rapidly among livestock in the border districts of Rajasthan. According to local media reports, about 50,000 cows are infected, while about 30,000 cows have died so far from this disease. Now the disease is also infecting deer. To prevent spread of the disease, the state government has issued a high alert in more than 16 districts.

Deer also infected with lumpy disease

Following on from the spread of the infection in cattle, symptoms of lumpy disease are also being seen in wild deer in Jodhpur district. In such a situation, if the infection reaches eastern Rajasthan, there is a possibility of a wildlife crisis at the Sariska Tiger Reserve, Alwar, and the Ramgarh Vishdhari Wildlife Sanctuary, including the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, in Bundi.

What is lumpy disease?

Lumpy disease, which is spreading in cattle, is highly contagious. That is, it spreads from cattle to cattle very quickly. Dr. Bhagwan Lal Gupta, Joint Director of Sawai Madhopur Animal Husbandry Department says that lumpy is a type of skin disease. The situation is different in eastern Rajasthan, where, the districts of Sawai Madhopur, Dausa, Karauli, Alwar, Dholpur, Tonk, Kota, and Bundi are practically free from lumpy disease. That is to say, there is not even a single case of lumpy disease in most districts of eastern Rajasthan. Moreover, the disease is contagious but it is not fatal.

Additional budget approved to deal with lumpy disease

Western Rajasthan is the most affected with lumpy disease. Special veterinary teams have been sent to more than 16 infected districts with an additional budget allocated for medicines. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has also appealed to cattle owners to have forbearance and take precautions. In particular, as lumpy disease spreads rapidly in cows, it is also of increasing concern to owners of other livestock. Wild deer has also been affected by lumpy disease in the Osian region of ​​Jodhpur district.

The districts most affected

Pisi Kishen, Secretary, Animal Husbandry Department, Rajasthan, has said that the risk of infection is high in Barmer, Jalore, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Sirohi. Extra vigilance is being maintained in Dungarpur, Banswara, Udaipur and Rajsamand, the districts adjoining Gujarat. Besides these areas, lumpy disease has also made an appearance in Sri Ganganagar, Bikaner, Nagaur, Pali, Sirohi and Jaipur. Members of teams from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, and National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal, who have come to Rajasthan, have also been collecting samples in the districts affected by the infection. According to some data, one lakh cows have been infected with lumpy disease in Rajasthan so far.

Villagers support vets doing vaccination in Nagaur

Given the spread of infection among cows, in the Didwana area of Nagaur district, the veterinary doctor from Singhana village panchayat, Shiva Chaudhary, has started vaccinating stray cattle. Villagers are also cooperating in this work.

Lumpy disease first identified in Africa Officials from the Animal Husbandry Department have explained that the initial cases of this disease were reported in Africa, following which it targeted Pakistan. After which, cases started being reported in India. Choudhary said that this disease is mainly affecting cows, in particular the indigenous bred cows.

CM makes an appeal

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has also made an appeal to cattle rearers: "The lumpy disease that is spreading in the cattle is extremely contagious. The state government is making every effort to stop its spread and to prevent it. Take the necessary precautions to protect your animals from this affliction. If symptoms of this disease become noticeable in the animals, contact the nearest veterinary institution. I also appeal to gaushala operators, public representatives and voluntary organizations to extend their cooperation to the state government in regard to prevention and control of this disease."

यहाँ हिन्दी में भी पढ़ें: राजस्थानः लंपी रोग से 30 हजार गायों की मौत, 50 हजार संक्रमित, हिरणों में भी बढ़ रहा संक्रमण

[Story Translated By Lotika Singha]