HARIPUR: The outbreak of lumpy skin disease has been reported here with around 150 animals, mostly cows, being infected with the virus.

Dr Sohrab Ahmed Malik of the livestock department told Dawn that the disease broke out in the district after the import of cows and bulls from Punjab and the crossbred cows were mostly hit by it.

He said the skin disease had been diagnosed in at least 150 animals, almost all cows, while six lost life to it.

The official said the incidence of cattle infection among local species was ‘nominal’ as the farmers preferred rearing buffaloes over cows.

He, however, said ahead of Eidul Azha, the marketing of cows and bulls from Punjab and other provinces was on the rise in the district and other parts of the province rendering the local livestock vulnerable to infections.

“Among our most hit areas are Paniyan village and surrounding areas as well as a couple of villages bordering Punjab in Ghazi tehsil, where the cases of lumpy skin disease have been reported,” he said.

Dr Sohrab, however, said the department had deployed workers at the district’s all entry points to spray animals with anti-tick and flies chemicals, while the spraying of village farms is also under way.

He urged cattle farmers to use anti-flies sprays in ranches and livestock keeping areas and clean the floors of rooms with chemicals. He also called for the vaccination of livestock and said if animals were found with symptoms of lumpy skin disease, their owners should contact the District Headquarters Veterinary Hospital, Haripur, or field hospitals.

Meanwhile, cattle farmers from Paniyan, Bhera, Afghan camps, Mirpur, Rehana and surrounding areas said their several animals,especially cows and buffaloes, had been infected with lumpy skin disease.

They said they slaughtered most of those animals to prevent the spread of the infection.

Published in Dawn, June 25th, 2022