Lumpy skin disease spreads fast across Naogaon district

ROVING CORRESPONDENT | Published: November 02, 2019 21:11:19

A lumpy skin disease affected calf in Manda upazila of Naogaon district — FE Photo

NAOGAON, Nov 02: Hundreds of cattle farmers under Manda upazila of Noagaon district are worried as lumpy skin disease is spreading fast across the region.
Farmer Abdul Halim said, "We applied all sorts of medicine, but did not expected result."
According to upazila livestock office sources, lumpy skin disease (LSD) is caused by infection with a virus of Poxviridae or Neethling virus.
The virus is one of three closely related species within the genus Capri poxvirus, the other two species being Sheep pox virus and Goat pox virus.
Sources said around half of a dozen of cattle have already died of LSD across the upazila but the rearers claimed that around 50 cattle head have already died from the disease.
The disease is characterised by fever, enlarged superficial lymph nodes and multiple nodules on the skin and mucous membranes.
The virus has important economic implications as affected animals tend to have permanent damage to their skin, lowering the commercial value of their hide.
Additionally, the disease often results in chronic debility, reduced milk production, poor growth, infertility, abortion and sometimes death.
Upazila livestock officer Shaila Sharmin said the disease came from Africa. The vaccine produced from sheep or goat pox viruses has been shown to provide immunity in cattle.
However, the level of 'attenuation' required for safe use in sheep and goats is not sufficient for cattle.
For this reason the sheep pox and goat pox vaccines are restricted to countries where sheep pox or goat pox is already endemic since the live vaccines could provide a source of infection for the susceptible sheep and goat populations.
She said, most cattle develop lifelong immunity after recovery from a natural infection. Additionally, calves of immune cows acquire maternal antibody and are resistant to clinical disease until about six months of age.
Calves born from susceptible cows are also susceptible and should be vaccinated.
Along with upazila livestock official some 15 volunteers are working in the area.
A farmer Rafiqul Islam of Surja Kiron village said two cows of his farm have already affected with the diseases. He is trying save from the attack of LSD another healthy cattle of his farm, he added.
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