Act fast to combat lumpy skin disease

The fisheries and livestock ministry has directed the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) to take urgent action to contain the spread of lumpy skin disease among cattle.
At the same time, the DLS has also been asked to take necessary measures for the treatment of the cattle affected by this viral disease.
The disease is caused by infection of cattle or water buffalo with the poxvirus lumpy skin disease virus.
The ministry gave the instructions through a letter sent to the department on Wednesday.
The move came following a report that lumpy skin disease has broken out in Sadar, Khansama and Bochaganj upazilas of Dinajpur district recently.
In its letter, the ministry gave a directive to form a veterinary medical team comprising an upazila livestock officer or a veterinary surgeon or a livestock extension officer and a deputy assistant livestock officer or a veterinary field assistant or field assistant in each union of the affected area.
The medical team has been assigned to ensure on-the-spot inspection of every cattle suffering from the disease.
And the divisional and district livestock officers have been given the responsibility to monitor the medical services round the clock. If necessary, the livestock officers/employees from other districts or upazilas adjoining the affected districts can be included in the medical team, according to the letter.

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