Eid ul Azha is just around the corner.
From maintaining cleanliness to staying healthy, there will be such challenges.
However, unlike in past years, lumpy skin disease will be a problem.
I am sure you have heard about this. This cow disease in Pakistan recently made the headlines when there were reports on more than 20000 cases of lumpy skin diseases in Pakistan.
The situation is quite alarming and has affected the cattle industry on a larger scale. With Eid-ul-Azha approaching, there are questions about lumpy skin diseases.
Let’s know more about this cow disease in Pakistan and answer your queries!
Table of Contents
What is Lumpy Skin Disease?
Lumpy skin disease is a viral disease that is affecting livestock animals.
Commonly known as cow disease, this viral condition affects buffaloes and cattle too. An important pox virus known as the lumpy virus affects animals.
The worst part is that lumpy virus disease is contagious and can spread from one animal to another. This disease was first identified in 1929 in the South African region.
Eid-ul-Azha and the Spread of Lumpy Skin Disease
Recently we witnessed a disease outbreak in Sindh that according to an estimate hit almost five million sellers belonging to the cattle industry.
The spread of cow disease in Pakistan is concerning. If the condition remains uncontrolled it is expected to hit the livestock industry in Pakistan during the peak season.
Not only will it impact the production of meat and milk, but will impact the profitable industry.
How Does Lumpy Skin Disease Spread?
Now you must be thinking about how it affects different animals. There are many ways in which this disease spreads.
Vector-borne Transmission – Just like dengue or malaria, the spread of lumpy disease occurs through the bite of mosquitoes, flies, or ticks.
Dr. Saleem Qaiser, a prominent Veterinary Doctor with 26 years of expertise, says these insects bite an infected animal and the virus gets into their bodies. Next time, the same insect bites a healthy animal, it ends up transmitting the virus to a healthy animal resulting in the spread of the disease.
Contact Transmission – Another way, through which lumpy virus disease spreads is through direct contact between animals which is a common problem in cattle houses.
What Does Lumpy Skin Disease Look Like?
In the case of lumpy skin disease, not all animals show the signs and symptoms.
Yes, you got it, sometimes the condition can be asymptomatic.
But in the case of symptomatic disease, here is what lumpy skin disease looks like in animals:
- Skin nodules (up to 50mm) that appear in any part of the body
- Development of scabs in nodules leaving behind large holes
- Reduced milk production
- Fever
- Nasal discharge
- Lymph node swelling
- Swelling of genitals
- Watery eyes in affected animals
- Temporary and permanent infertility problems among animals
The sight can be scary. Especially when you are dealing with thousands of animals under one roof and you see them getting affected one after another. But the condition is not dangerous.
How to Control the Spread of Lumpy Skin Disease in Pakistan?
With the recent outbreak of the disease in Pakistan, the livestock industry is on the verge of collapsing. Especially when Eid-ul-Azha is approaching and is becoming a cause of concern for animal sellers. Here are the tips that can help you to control the spread of lumpy skin disease in Pakistan.
- Isolate the infected animals from the rest to prevent the spread of cow disease
- Some viral vaccines are effective against the disease
- Antibiotics, as well as NSAIDs, can help to control the spread of secondary infections
- Good nursing care can help to overcome the effects of the disease.
Despite low death rates due to lumpy skin disease, we know the contagious disease can quickly spread.
Is Lumpy Skin Disease Harmful for Humans?
When it comes to the spread of lumpy skin diseases to humans, there is currently limited information.
However, health authorities say that the meat of infected animals is completely safe. However, the meat should be properly cooked prior to consumption.
Lumpy Skin Disease – Let’s Wrap Up!
Lumpy disease or cow disease is a skin condition in animals. This condition greatly impacts the livestock sector. These diseases serve as an important challenge during the current times.
However, only if we control the spread of cow disease in Pakistan and other diseases, Pakistan is capable of becoming the biggest exporter of Halal meat, which is an emerging industry. Further, there is a need to educate dealers about the diseases, especially in the case of zoonotic diseases.
If you are dealing in livestock and suspect the presence of any disease in animals, you can consult the best veterinary doctors in Lahore via Healthwire to make informed decisions.
