ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of National Food Security and Research has set up a task force to develop a framework for controlling the spread of lumpy skin disease (LSD) in cattle and buffaloes in Pakistan.

Minister for National Food Security Syed Fakhr Imam announced the formation of the task force at a meeting here on Monday that discussed the spread of LSD in the country.

Mr Imam directed that guidelines developed should be strictly followed by all stakeholders and action must be taken on an emergency basis to curb the spread of LSD and the damage caused by it.

He said the task force would meet daily in the first week and then on a weekly basis to ensure efficient management of the issue. A strategic and operational plan must be made on an emergency basis to limit the economic cost of LSD to farmers, he said.

The minister was briefed by Animal Husbandry Commissioner Dr Mohammad Akram that 500,000 vaccines had to be imported to tackle the spread of LSD. The disease only affects cattle and buffaloes and certain wild animals, which has been confirmed for the first time in Pakistan through clinical and laboratory diagnosis.

LSD is a viral disease of cattle, buffaloes and certain wild animals causing economic losses due to loss of condition, decreased milk production, abortions, infertility and damaged hides.

The causative virus is spreading mainly by vectors, such as tsetse flies, mosquitoes and ticks.

Dr Akram said that it is widespread epidemic across many countries of Asia, Africa and Europe. The disease can, however, be successfully controlled by vaccination, he added.

Mr Imam was further informed that though vaccine has to be imported, as an alternate for the time being, ‘goat pox’ vaccine is being used which has shown positive results.

Published in Dawn, March 8th, 2022