All you need to know about the lumpy skin disease

The Lumpy Skin Disease or LSD has killed over 57,000 cattle in Rajasthan. Seven other Indian states have also reported the viral outbreak.

What is the Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD)?

States impacted by Lumpy Skin Disease

As of now, Rajasthan seems to be the worst state affected by the Lumpy Skin Disease. Over 11 lakh cattle have been affected with the disease while around 57,000 cattle have lost their lives. The outbreak has paralysed Rajasthan’s milk economy with milk collection in the state dropping by 5-6 lakh litre per day. In some parts of western Rajasthan, milk production has come down to zero due to the disease.

26 districts in Maharashtra too have reported the viral disease with 126 cattle deaths so far.

Is Lumpy Skin Disease transmissible to humans?

According to Maharashtra’s animal husbandry department, the disease is not transmitted to human beings. There is no danger to humans either from animals or from cow milk. Further, among animals it is only transmitted by blood-feeding insects.

Does India have a vaccine for Lumpy Skin Disease?

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has requested the Centre to declare Lumpy Skin Disease a national calamity and provide vaccines once they are ready to stem its spread. As of today, India does not have a vaccine against the disease. However, the goat pox vaccine has proved highly effective against the viral outbreak. So far, 1.2 crore doses have been administered in affected states which includes 12.32 lakh animals in Rajasthan.

India is also developing the “Lumpi-Pro VacInd” vaccine to tackle the outbreak.