Rajasthan: Lumpy skin disease in animals spreads into 15 districts

Jaipur: The lumpy skin disease in animals in Rajasthan has spread to nearly 15 districts, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot informed on Monday. Addressing a review meeting, the CM said that the government is working with seriousness and sensitivity to contain the spread of the disease, PTI reported.

He said that orders had been issued to all the district collectors to buy medicines without tender if needed. He added that everyone must face together the spreading of disease.

Official data states that 4,24,188 animals have been infected by the virus, and 18,462 succumbed to it.

The disease, which spreads through vectors like flies and mosquitoes, causes fever and nodules on the skin. If severe, the condition ends the infected up in death, and the virus is particularly harmful to those animals which are never been exposed to it before.

He said to direct the district collectors to ensure that carcasses of cattle that succumbed to the virus must be disposed of properly. He instructed the chief secretary to issue guidelines for treatment after taking suggestions from the Ayurveda department. Officials were also instructed to initiate a public awareness campaign regarding the disease.

He said in the meeting that the cleanliness of Gaushalas, spraying of sodium hypochlorite, fogging, and availability of heavy construction machines should be ensured. There is no shortage of medicines, whereas the vaccine is still under trial, and as an alternative, goat pox vaccine is being used, he said and added that Union Minister Purushottam Rupala assured help.

He announced that people are welcome to give suggestions to the government for the prevention and treatment of this disease in writing or on the 181 helpline number.

Gehlot later said that the grant period for Gaushalas had been increased from 6 to 9 months by the government. Ajmer, Sikar, Jhunjhunu and Udaipur, which are among the most affected districts, are under continuous monitoring, he said.

Meanwhile, Agriculture and Animal Husbandry department Minister Lalchand Kataria said continuous monitoring is underway in all the districts of the state for effective prevention of the disease. As a result, the recovery rate is increasing, and the death rate is decreasing, he assured.

A total of 1,79,854 animals have recovered from the disease till Monday, as per data.