The Kashmir Pulse

JAMMU — Following the declaration of Jammu and Kashmir as “Free Area” for LSD, the Agriculture Production Department has lifted the ban on intra-district and inter-district movement of bovines in J&K along with the import of elite healthy dairy animals from outside the UT.

An official order issued in this regard stated that all the provisions related to “Free Area” contained in PCICDA, Act 2009, shall be strictly adhered to while importing dairy animals from outside the UT.

Pertinently, the Government of J&K yesterday declared the whole of the UT of J&K as “Free Area” for Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) vide Notification S.O 36 dated 16.01.2023 as per the provisions of Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act 2009 as no case of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in bovines has been reported in UT of J&K for last two months and also more than 90% affected animals have recovered from the disease.

It has been reported that the disease is under control in the UT and also in neighbouring states. Around 72728 cattle contracted LSD in J&K since July 2022, out of which, 3015 animals died due to the disease.

The UT government acted swiftly towards tackling the disease and initiated various measures to control the disease which included vaccination of 20.5 lakh cattle and a ban on the import of dairy animals from outside the UT.

Any individual, bovine dealer or beneficiary of any scheme who intends to import dairy animals from neighbouring states should necessarily carry a valid certificate indicating the date of vaccination; vaccine type used; brand name; dose; route of vaccination; specie/breed of the animal; age; lactation number; status of the animal (milking or pregnant); INAPH tag number, name of previous owner along with parentage and mobile number from a qualified veterinarian of Animal Husbandry Department of respective state serving in the sourced area along with the official seal, signature and mobile number/email address of the veterinarian. The concerned veterinarian of the sourced area should also certify that the dairy animal has not contracted the Lumpy Skin Disease Infection during the recent outbreak.

Besides, samples shall be collected from 5% of the imported animals at Lakhanpur for close monitoring of the disease.

The order also said that Transport of Animals (Amendment) Rules 2009 issued vide SO 2465 (E), dated September 22, 2009, and all the standing instructions/guidelines issued by J&K Government for import of dairy animals into the UT shall be strictly followed.

Chief Animal Husbandry Officers of the districts declared as Free Areas for Lumpy Skin Disease have been directed to closely monitor the situation and the decision on lifting the ban on the import of dairy animals can be reviewed depending on the evolving situation.

Pertinently, the ingress of LSD into UT of J&K has impacted the implementation of the Integrated Dairy Development Scheme (IDDS) during 2022-23. Lifting of the ban will provide relief to dairy farmers of J&K as well as intended beneficiaries of IDDS and Breed Multiplication Scheme of Rashtriya Gokul Mission.

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir Government on Friday constituted district-level committees for controlling the spread of the lumpy skin disease (LSD) in the UT.

As per an order a, copy of which lies with the news agency KNO, Deputy Commissioner concerned will be the Chairman of the committee while the Chief Executive Officer/Executive Officer of the Municipal Council, Chief Planning Officer, Chief Animal Husbandry Officer, District Sheep Husbandry Officer and District Panchayat officer will be members of the committee.

The terms of reference of the committee as per the order include that the Committee(s) shall implement all biosecurity measures as circulated in the advisories issued by the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, GoI and Agriculture Production Department, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, from time to time.

The committee is empowered to implement the vector control program with the application of insecticides and fly repellents in and around cattle farms by involving Municipalities, Panchayats and local bodies, prevent the inter-district and intra-district movement of cattle by involving law enforcement agencies as a measure to prevent cause for the spread of disease to new epicenters, monitor whether the sick animals are being isolated from healthy animals and shall ensure the isolation of affected stray animals.

It has also been tasked to ensure that all susceptible animals are vaccinated against Lumpy Skin Disease and a sufficient quantity of vaccines, drugs and fly repellents are available in each district for treating the sick animals and preventing the further spread of lumpy skin disease. "Ensure that the animals which die due to lumpy skin disease should be buried deep in the ground with the application of lime," the order directed.

KUPWARA — Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) is rapidly affecting north Kashmir's Kupwara with more than 1500 infected in the district.

Details collected by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) suggests that above hundred cattle have so far died due to the disease while more than 1500 are infected. Also, about 4000 have been vaccinated.

Lumpy skin disease is a viral disease that affects cattle. It is transmitted by blood-feeding insects, such as certain species of flies and mosquitoes, or ticks.

KNO has learnt that a forest belt nearby to Gulgam area in the district has turned the hotspot of the disease as the dead animals affected by the disease are being dumped there. There is a stench for about one kilometer while people are not able to walk from there, they said, adding that the authorities should take measures so that it cannot spread further.

Meanwhile, locals said that the outbreak has triggered devastating losses for cattle farmers since the disease not only results in deaths but also lead to decreased milk production. "If the authorities concerned do not take immediate steps, a large number of cattle may be killed by the disease," Abdul Rasheed, a local said, adding that the the concerned department should pay special attention to the matter.

An official said that the situation in Karnah is under control because of the vaccination process. "So far most of cases have been reported in Karnah area where the department has sent multiple teams already and they are working hard to prevent the disease futher among cattles," he said, adding that they have already issued advisories to farmers related to prevention and care of infected animals.

Giving details, he said that around 70 cattles have died so far across the district while atleast a thousand has been affected. "Around 40 thousands of animal have been vaccinated," he said.

The official advised farmers to dig at least 10 feet deep pits for burying carcasses of animals that died due to the disease following which fogging and spraying of particular disinfectants and proper sanitisation should be done.

Earlier, the Directorate of Extension S.K. University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar issued advisory against disease and appealed people to remain cautious.

"Since the disease can spread through vector bites, insect breeding places like stagnant water, and manure pits need to be properly managed," it said, adding that observe the animals for common symptoms of the disease like high fever, nodules on the skin, mucous membranes, anorexia/off feed, emaciation, drop in milk yield, enlarged lymph nodes, oedema of the skin, salivation, ocular and nasal discharge, conjunctivitis.

The SKUAST also advised people that if any or all of the above symptoms are noticed, immediately isolate the animal as the disease may spread to other animals through vector bites like mosquitoes, flies, ticks besides contact with infected material like nodules, saliva, blood, ocular/nasal discharge and call for veterinary assistance for vaccination and treatment.

SRINAGAR — Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), an infectious viral disease of cattle continues to infect more cattle due to which the farmers are very much worried.

The residents of Chotigam Shopian told the news agency KNO that around 35 cows have been affected in the last three days and two have already died but no official has visited the area. They requested higher ups to look into the matter at an earliest so that cattle can be treated on time.

Farmers said that though the mortality rate of LSD is not so high, animals infected with this disease are unable to produce enough milk even after they are cured of infection and their economy is getting badly affected.

They said that there are lakhs of families whose livelihood is dependent on cattle rearing and other related work but this disease has badly affected them. Farmers said that some of them have lost their cattle on which they were dependent and the government must look into it and compensate.

Meanwhile, an official of the Animal Husbandry Department Shopian said that almost every village of the district is affected due to the disease and due to staff shortage, it is impossible to reach every farmer. He said that they are working day and night to reach everyone.

On the other hand, Chief Animal Husbandry Officer Shopian Altaf Hussian Masoodi told KNO that over 250 cattle have been affected due to the disease in the district so far and among them 20 have died. He said that a team will be deputed to Chotigam area on Saturday.

It is in place to mention here that officials said that there is neither evidence of the transmission of the disease in humans nor it has any effect on milk. It is a viral disease and after boiling it (milk), it can be used.

Lumpy Skin Disease is a viral skin disease transmitted by vectors affecting cattle and buffaloes only. "This disease is not transmitted from animals to humans," they said.

It is a viral disease of cattle and buffalo spread through the bite of mosquitoes or parasites. “The disease affects skin of the infected animal through creating large size lesion on body, the locals said, adding that the consumption of animal’s meat or milk does not transmit the infection to humans.

SRINAGAR — In the wake of the outbreak of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), the Government of Jammu and Kashmir has constituted two dedicated task forces, one each for two divisions of the UT.

These task forces are to be headed by scientists from SKUAST K/J along with other members from Animal Husbandry departments to monitor the spread of the disease in real time and suggest strategies for its control.

In addition, a notification was issued under Section 6 of Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009 declaring nine districts of J&K as controlled areas for the purpose of the Act. Subsequently, in pursuance of the notification, an order was issued imposing complete ban on import of bovine animals from outside the UT as well as the inter-district movement of these animals within the UT of J&K.

Vaccination drive against the LSD has started in a campaign mode in both the divisions and the susceptible population is being vaccinated in the form of ring vaccination around the respective epicentres on war-footing to control the spread of disease, besides all bio-security measures which include the use of fly repellents, fogging, isolation and treatment of affected animals are being adopted. District level RRT’s visit all the epicentres of infection for controlling its spread.

The Agriculture Production Department (APD) is abreast of the situation in the UT and Additional Chief Secretary APD, Atal Dulloo is personally monitoring the evolving situation on daily basis.

Farmers are being advised to establish close liaison with Animal Husbandry authorities and cooperate fully in control and immunization programs. APD Department has started dedicated helpline 1962 to assist farmers in case of any eventuality related to the disease.

The samples for confirmation of LSD are being sent to NIHSAD, Bhopal on a daily basis, however, two BSL-II labs have been set up at Jammu and Srinagar to conduct the testing for LSD in J&K only which will start functioning within weeks time and surveillance of the disease shall disease shall be taken up in a large scale for controlling the disease.