Lumpy skin disease kills over 25 thousand animals

Nepalese farmers are these days panicking over the spread of lumpy skin infection in animals. According to the government data, 25 thousand 408 animals have died due to the disease spread among 6 million 82 thousand 80 animals. According to the Animal Services Department, the outbreak that started from Koshi in March 2023 has spread to 76 districts except Manang.

Four million 9 thousand 175 animals have so fare recovered from the disease. Animals in the mid-hills and hilly areas of Karnali, Sudurpaschim, Lumbini and Koshi are more affected by the disease. In Far West, 10,939 animals died out of 2,798 infected. According to the department, out of 189 thousand 15 infected animals, 6 thousand 741 animals died in Karnali. In Lumbini, out of 74,289 infected animals, 2,780 have died. The department said that 515 died of the 27 thousand 15 infected in Gandaki, 866 died of the 31 thousand 343 infected in Bagmati have died. According to the department, 3,464 died out of 154,532 infected animals in Koshi and 101 died out of 5,088 infected in Madhesh.

One hundred seventy two and 128 animals have so far been vaccinated against the infection in different districts of all provinces. According to a data, 33 billion 51 million died due to lumpy skin disease in 3 and a half months. According to the study conducted by the Nepal Veterinary Council, the loss was seen from 6 million 82 thousand 80 animals infected with the disease. According to the Department of Animal Services, lumpy disease was first observed in cows in Sunderharaincha municipality of Morang in 2017.

What is lumpy skin?

Lumpy skin is an epidemic disease of cattle caused by a virus. It is transmitted by blood-feeding insects, such as certain species of flies and mosquitoes, or ticks. Symptoms of this disease include high fever, less food intake, reduced milk production, round skin, salivation, shedding of horns, swelling, swelling of legs joints. Due to the disease, the production of milk and meat will decrease, reproductive problems will appear in animals (fatigue, abortion), and there will also be problems in leather production.