Thursday, Jul 27, 2023 08:15 [IST]
Last Update: Thursday, Jul 27, 2023 02:36 [IST]
GANGTOK,: The Lumpy Skin Disease outbreak which has so far claimed around 1100 bovine animals in Sikkim is expected to end by the next three months, said Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services (AHVS) secretary Dr. P Senthil Kumar on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the State government has rolled out a system at every district head-office wherein the farmers can claim for compensation of their livestock animals killed by the viral disease.
According to the AHVS department, the three months’ estimate of Sikkim being free from Lumpy Skin Disease rides on two factors – vaccination coverage to reach sufficient level for development of herd immunity, and diminishing of spreaders like flies and mosquitoes as monsoon ends.
Speaking to media here, the AHVS secretary informed that 62,564 cows and other livestock animals have been vaccinated till date, recording coverage of 42% in the State. “Intensified vaccination is going in all the six districts by our Veterinary Officers and personnel. Once we achieve 70%-80% vaccination, we will reach a stage where the cattle will develop herd immunity to supplement their natural immunity against Lumpy Skin Disease,” he said.
As the vaccination drive continues, the department is also counting on completion of monsoon season to contain and receding of Lumpy Skin Disease.
“Lumpy Skin Disease is a viral disease and primarily spreads among the cattle through biting insects like flies, mosquitos and ticks. During the monsoon, these insects breed rapidly due to hot and humid weather conditions. Their numbers would significantly come down once monsoon ends.”
“Our vaccination coverage would also be completed by the time the monsoon ends. Hence, we are hopefully to make Sikkim free from Lumpy Skin Diseases within the next three months. Mortality rate is low, recovery rate is good and vaccination is continuing. There is no need to panic,” said Dr. Kumar.
The AVHS department’s vaccination would be further boosted with the arrival of 1,000 vaccine doses that specifically caters to Lumpy Skin Disease. Presently, the department is using a goat pox vaccine which is used to treat similar viral diseases among livestock, as approved by the Centre.
At the same time, the department has urged farmers to keep their cattle sheds clean and dry considering that spread flies and insects breed in wet and unhygienic conditions. The farmers were also urged to immediately isolate their cattle if they show disease-related symptoms.
“The State government and the AVHS department are sparing no efforts in combating the disease outbreak. Vaccination is going on and treatment is also provided by our vet teams to those animals whose conditions have worsened. We request the farmers to support us by keeping their cattle sheds clean and dry, and to provide healthy diet to their animals to boost their immunity,” appealed Dr. Kumar.
Meanwhile, the State government has notified Lumpy Skin Disease as a ‘disaster’ under Disaster Management Act 2005 to open the government process to provide compensation for cattle deaths due to Lumpy Skin Disease.
This follows the announcement of Chief Minister PS Golay to provide government compensation to the affected farmers.
“We have prepared forms and sending it to all the six districts. The affected farmers should fill up the forms and submit to concerned district officials to claim for compensation. They need to provide details (death of their cattle) and get their claims verified by the concerned panchayat and veterinary officer,” said Dr. Kumar.
The compensation rates would be determined as per the Disaster Management Act and transferred online to the farmers’ bank accounts.
Though the disease has spread in all six districts of Sikkim with presently 3312 active cases, the AHVS department pointed out that recovery rate is also excellent and the mortality rate is below 1 per cent.
Altogether 9779 cattle in Sikkim including some yaks were infected since the first case was reported from Pakyong district in December 2023. Among them, 5367 cattle have recovered.
Dr. Kumar, through the media, assured the people that it is totally safe to consume milk and dairy products. Lumpy Skin Disease is not a zoonotic disease and it does not affect humans, hence it is safe to consume milk, he said.
