As many as 82 suspected cases of lumpy skin disease have been reported in Chandigarh Panchkula district in the last two days. The disease has emerged as a threat to livestock, having already claimed several lives in the nearby states.
Of the total suspected cases, 80 were from Panchkula and two from Chandigarh.
In the wake of the same, the department of animal husbandry, Panchkula, issued an advisory banning the transport of cattle outside the district. Department director Anil Banwala said the cases have been reported from across the district, including Saketri, Panchkula and Kalka, with the sick cattle showing symptoms associated with the infectious viral disease include appearance of nodules or lumps, high fever and lesions inside the mouth.
Also read: Lumpy skin disease: Punjab sees 160 cattle deaths, 12,000 infections in a month
Banwala said teams have been constituted to collect samples, which will be sent to a Bhopal-based laboratory for examination.
He added that while the disease does not spread from animal to humans, it was advised for the public to take all necessary precautions while handling diseased animals such as wearing gloves and a mask.
He said the milk and milk products produced will be fit for human consumption after boiling or pasteurisation as it kills the virus, if any are present.
Chandigarh’s suspected cases were reported from the municipal corporation’s (MC) Industrial Area-based gaushala.
MC commissioner Anindita Mitra, said, “The suspected cases were isolated. A team of the UT animal husbandry department was called for the check-up. Samples from the two cows will be taken on Wednesday and sent to a Jalandhar based laboratory for confirmation.”
(with inputs from Chandigarh)
