Pune: The lumpy skin disease (LSD) in cattle has claimed lives of 15 livestock in Rural Pune over the past few weeks as the animal husbandry department struggled with manpower shortage, coordination challenges among govt agencies and lack of awareness among farmers.The district has a cattle population of approximately 8.53 lakh. In the last few weeks, the Pune district reported LSD in 906 animals. Of these, 15 died and 591 cattles recovered while 300 are undergoing treatment. The worst-hit talukas were Shirur, Ambegaon, and Junnar, prompting officials to take immediate containment steps.Lumpy skin disease (LSD), caused by a capripoxvirus, primarily affects cattle and is transmitted through blood-feeding insects like mosquitoes and ticks. Though not transmissible to humans, the disease leads to severe economic losses due to reduced milk production, skin lesions and in some cases, death.“After reporting cases since 2021, the animal husbandry department should have prepared proper plans on vaccination, isolation of cattle and creating awareness at the village level. However, all these elements have been missing. The department is now once again operating on a ‘situation basis’,” a senior official from the Pune district administration said.Although authorities claimed to have started mass vaccination drives, villagers and several officials from the department believe that it will not be sufficed and more educational sessions for farmers are necessary.Vishnu Garje, the district animal husbandry officer, told TOI, “We witnessed manpower shortage in certain talukas, but we have now channeled staff to the most affected areas to expedite the vaccination drive.”“The efficacy of the vaccine is up to 80%, so some vaccinated cattle may still show symptoms of lumpy skin disease. In the worst-case scenario, they succumb to the disease,” he added.The farmers’ lack of awareness about vaccination and its implications has created a major issue. Another veterinary official explained, “after vaccination, the immunity of cattle enhances only after 21 days. Dairy farmers are reluctant as they feel they will not be able to get enough milk during this period.”However, the Pune district administration on Wednesday declared nine talukas as ‘controlled zones’ to curb the spread of LSD. District collector Jitendra Dudi has issued a directive for mandatory implementation of comprehensive preventive measures, including vector control programs as per the guidelines of the central govt.“In areas where laboratory tests have confirmed LSD cases, the administration has instructed immediate ring vaccination of all uninfected cattle within a 5-kilometre radius. Veterinary teams have been deployed to carry out the task swiftly,” said Dudi.According to the order, cattle (bovine species, excluding buffaloes) must be vaccinated with the ‘Goat Pox’ vaccine at least 28 days before being transported either within or outside the controlled zones. A valid vaccination certificate must accompany all such movement.The order further restricts the organisation of cattle fairs, races, exhibitions or any event involving bovine animals. “All participating animals must present proof of vaccination and a health certificate issued by a certified veterinary officer,” the order stated. The administration has also prohibited the movement of live or dead infected animals.“The LSD has become a major concern in the last four years in the district. The authorities should have done a micro awareness campaign in rural areas. However, we did not see anything. Participation of the farmers could not be anticipated immediately in a vaccination drive,” said farmer activist Shantaram Sarvade from Khed tehsil.A section of veterinary officials told TOI that lack of infrastructure and manpower have been a perennial issue in the department.“One veterinary official has six to ten villages under his or her limit at least. It is challenging to provide quality service in such constraints, especially in hilly and remote regions like Ambegaon, Junnar, Maval, Mulshi, Bhor, Velhe and Khed tehsil,” said a veterinary official.
