Kissan Sabha concerns over spurt in cases of lumpy skin disease in cattle

Himachal Pradesh Kisan Sabha showed concern over spurt in cases of lumpy skin disease in the cattle , HKS handed over a Memorandum sent to Chief Minister over the bovine outbreak said here today. The state president of HKS Dr Kuldeep Tanwar said that rapid increase is witnessed in number of  cases of lumpy skin disease or lumpy virus in livestock within the state for last one week as many milchig animal are being killed. He demanded that immediate effective steps need to be taken to prevent the lumpi virus and Kisan sabha also apprised Animal Husbandry Minister, Secretary Animal Husbandry and Director Animal Husbandry to helped the affected family and control the the disease. 

Himachal Kisan Sabha State President Dr. Kuldeep Singh Tanwar said that the first case of lumpy virus came on 22 June 2022 in Cheli village of Panchayat Malyana of Mashobra block of Shimla district where the animal had died. So far two cows have died of this virus in that village. Whereas the second case came in Naina Tikkar, Sirmaur on 25th June 2022.  Dr. Tanwar said that within just 50 days, 79 animals have died due to this disease in the state and 1351 animals are affected. If this rate of spread of the virus continues, then this virus can soon take the form of an epidemic. He said that almost every rural household in Himachal Pradesh rears cattle. Animal husbandry is not only a supplementary employment but also the main source of livelihood for many families. The President of Kisan Sabha said that most of its attacks are on milch animals and especially on cows. The cost of an animal ranges from 40 to 80 thousand. There are also many cattle owners who had bought cows by taking loans and now they are in debt. The government should give them immediate relief.  He said that as per the information till date, except Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti and Chamba, this disease has spread in almost all the districts of the state, in which five districts are the most affected. Mainly Sirmaur, Una and Shimla have reported maximum cases of the virus.  He said that the number of animals in Himachal Pradesh is around 25 lakhs, but according to the information, so far only 1,7551 animals have been vaccinated. He urged to speed up the vaccination campaign.  ” The cattle owners whose animals have died due to the lumpi virus should be given immediate compensation or the loan taken by them to buy the animal should be waived.” The Kisan Sabha has also demanded to intensify the campaign of vaccination in animals and to provide lumpy virus vaccine and virus prevention medicines kits in veterinary dispensaries in the affected areas. Kisan Sabha has demanded continuous monitoring of this disease on the lines of Covid epidemic and making its reporting public every day so that people can be alert.  At the same time, to make the public aware, while activating the extension cell of the Animal Husbandry Department, he also demanded to run a special campaign against this virus through other communication media, promotional material etc.