Lumpy skin disease rampant in Sirajganj

Farmers in Tarash upazila of Sirajganj are distressed over the sudden spread of the lumpy skin disease of cattle. In the last week alone, 15 cows have died after falling victim to this disease.

Seven cows have died in the last seven days in Talam Union alone. The disease is more prevalent among younger cows.

After talking to local farmers, the Daily Samakal found that in the last month and a half, hundreds of cows have contracted the disease. The number of cows affected is increasing daily.

The upazila's Livestock Officer Md Oliul Islam confirmed that the disease has spread among cows of almost all villages of the upazila. However, his office does not have any data on how many cows have died from the lumpy skin disease. 

Lumpy skin disease or LSD causes fever, nodules on the skin, and even edematous swelling in the limbs of cattle. Infected cows exhibit lameness and lack of appetite. Gradually, it succumbs to death, said Abdur Rashid, a farmer in the Paril village.

According to Veterinary doctors, LSD is a viral disease. It is transmitted by blood-feeding insects. Regular vaccination of cattle and keeping them safe from insect bites and away from infected cows can prevent LSD. But there is no direct antiviral treatment for the disease.

/KN/