The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, has taken immediate action to address the concerns of livestock farmers in Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts of West Bengal regarding the outbreak of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in cattle and buffaloes.
The response from the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying was swift, with all necessary steps being taken to provide technical and financial support in close coordination with the state and district officials of the Animal Husbandry Department (AHD).
Upon field verification, it has been confirmed that there have been no cattle deaths due to LSD in Darjeeling and Kalimpong. However, approximately 400 unvaccinated cattle in Darjeeling and 2000 in Kalimpong have been infected, with 200 and 1200 respectively having already recovered.
The treatment of other infected cattle is currently underway, including the implementation of ring vaccination in affected areas to prevent the spread of the disease. It is important to note that there have been no reports of LSD in sheep or goats in both districts, and the infection is primarily confined to unvaccinated cattle. The situation is currently under control.
The Department has implemented several measures to control the spread of the disease, including:
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Surveillance: A surveillance strategy has been formulated and circulated to all states through an Exit Plan. Diagnostic facilities are readily available in the region, and the Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (RDDL) in Kolkata has been authorized and financially supported for the PCR testing of LSD in cattle. This information has been communicated to the state authorities.
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Vaccination program: States have been regularly advised to undertake vaccination as part of a controlled and preventive strategy. The Department has communicated uniform rates for the purchase of vaccines to the states. Financial assistance under the Animal Health and Disease Control (ASCAD) program, with a 60:40 cost-sharing ratio, is being provided to the states, including West Bengal.
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Visit of RDDL officers: A central team comprising officers from the North Eastern Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (NERDDL) in Guwahati and the Eastern Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (ERDDL) in Kolkata has been formed. The team will visit the affected areas to assess the situation on the ground and provide support to the state AHD in controlling and containing the spread of LSD within a specified timeframe.
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying is taking all necessary steps, including funding and technical support, to control and prevent the spread of LSD in the country. However, it is important to note that the implementation of these measures lies with the respective state governments, as Animal Husbandry is a state subject.
The prompt response and collaborative efforts between the central and state authorities in addressing the LSD outbreak in Darjeeling and Kalimpong demonstrate the government's commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of livestock and supporting the livelihoods of farmers in the region.
