A Press conference was held by Additional Chief Secretary of Animal husbandry department Jammu Atul Dulloo to issue directions for the general public on growing cases of Lumpy virus in bovines on Friday in Jammu.
Speaking at the press conference the Animal husbandry director informed the media to aware the locals what effective measures should follow to contain the spread of Lumpy skin disease (LSD) in the bovines.
While addressing the press conference he said that the Animal husbandry department has issued an helpline number ‘1962’ for the local farmers to provide them instant help in case of emergency and also a rapid action team is constituted ,who will act on immediate basis for the infected bovines.
“If anyone’s cattle got infected by the viral disease they can contact the department in-time to get the required help”, he added.
He further added that in 2019 this virus spread in the country and then gradually disseminated to other Indian states as well and so far 1750 bovines have been affected in Jammu, while 111 died from this virus and 7000 reportedly have been recovered from this viral disease.
“We have noticed that those local farmers in Jammu who have reported to us in-time about their ill bovines they are saved and those who were not able to inform us, their live stock suffered the repercussions of Lumpy skin disease (LSD)”, he stated.
Moreover he stated that the local farmers should be aware that there is no need to panic. “The disease is non – zoonotic that is, it does not spread from animal to human so they should take care of their livestock without fear and it has also been noticed that the virus is affecting primarily those cattle especially cows who have weak immunity system, while the buffaloes are not getting affected by this.
He also appealed that the people should not abandon their diseased cattle near river or in drains cause there are higher chances that these feral diseased bovines can potentially affect the other live stock who will come in their contact.
“Our first priority will be those bovines who are severely affected with this virus and not those who show minor symptoms”, he added further.
