Staff Reporter

Shillong, June 18: Over 20,000 cattle have been vaccinated to prevent the spread of Lumpy skin disease in the state.

Informing this yesterday, Secretary in-charge Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Dr Manjunatha C said the department has been vaccinating cattle population to prevent the spread of the disease. He said that the department has vaccinated over 20,000 cattle as of today.

Over 7,200 animals were infected and treated of which 4,588 have recovered.

So far, 61 cattle have died due to the disease in the state. There are over 2,500 active cases in the state.

Dr Manjunatha also requested farmers to allow for vaccination of their cattle as it will protect the cattle against the Lumpy skin disease.

"Treatment is also being given to infected cattle for recovery. Farmers can call to helpline number," he said.

Earlier in its advisory, the department had said that the Lumpy skin disease does not transmit to human being. However, the meat and milk of the infected cattle should not be consumed and should not be sold.

The lumpy skin disease is a viral disease in cattle, it will spread by biting of mosquitos, flies and ticks. It is characterized by formation of nodules on the skin all over the body. The infected animals often recover within a period of 2-3 weeks.

On the biosecurity measures, the department had asked the farmers to isolate infected animals from healthy animals.

Affected premises shall be disinfected using sodium hyphochlorite (2-3 per cent) or phenol (2 per cent / 15 minutes) or Formalin (1 per cent).

Farmers are requested to contact Rapid Response Teams of Veterinary Department by calling helpline number for disinfection of affected premises and treatment of infected animals.

Person dealing with infected animals should wear gloves and face mask.

In case of death of cattle, carcass should be disposed by deep burial method.

Cattle markets within 10 km radius of the epicenter should be closed.

With regards to vaccination, the department said that all the healthy animals including calf of more than 4 months and above age, in 5 km radius around infected area shall be vaccinated to prevent spread of LSD.