TAXILA: Improper disposal of cattle died from lumpy skin disease created panic among people in Hazro and adjacent areas as a large number of dead cattle were thrown by cattle breeders and livestock traders in the open especially along the service road of Islamabad-Peshawar motorway near Chach interchange.

The lumpy skin disease had affected a large number of cattle in Hazro area as scores of livestock especially cow and buffalo suffered from the disease in different villages.

The locals of the area expressed their concern over foul smell emitting from scores of dead animals scattered over a large area near Islamabad-Peshawar motorway near Chach interchange and adjoining areas of tehsil Hazro. They feared that it would spread different diseases in the area.

An official of Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) urged people to cooperate with the garbage disposal squad for proper disposal of dead animals.

He said that the cattle owners, breeders and farmers should inform sanitation department of the TMA who would properly dispose of dead animals without any charges as throwing the dead animals in the open would not only pollute environment but also attract a large number of birds which could prove fatal for the jet planes flying from nearby Kamra air base.

When contacted, Attock Livestock Department Additional Director Dr Abdul Hameed denied that there is shortage of vaccine.

He said the owners of affected animals should register their complaints in the toll free number of the livestock department and teams would be sent to the area for vaccination accordingly.

He said lumpy skin disease is a viral disease of cattle and buffalo spread through the bite of mosquitoes or parasites.

The disease affects skin of the infected animal through creating large size lesions on the body.

Published in Dawn, August 9th, 2022