NAROWAL: Lumpy skin disease is infecting cows in Narowal as dozens of animals have died from the disease.

Cattle farmers in Narowal, Zafarwal and Shakargarh are worried about the unchecked spread of the disease.

Muhammad Israr, of Rupochak village, said when his cow contracted the disease, he immediately contacted the livestock department, but only to be informed the department did not have medicines for lumpy skin disease.

Mr Israr said the vets prescribed medicine for the cow which was to be bought from the market.

Munir Ahmed said the medicines for lumpy skin disease are being sold in the black market.

Muhammad Ibrahim, of Ganeshpur village, said he failed to find the prescribed medicines in government hospitals and private pharmacies.

He said his cow died from the lumpy skin only due to the lack of medicine.

Abdul Kareem and Muhammad Iqbal said the animals suffering from lumpy skin diseases were being sold to butchers at cheap rates.

He said the citizens were forced to eat the meat of sick animals.

Iqbal said the milk of animals suffering from lumpy skin disease was also being sold.

According to sources, more than 145,000 cows could not be vaccinated in the district. There is no arrangement to protect animals from lumpy skin disease.

Dr Saeed, additional livestock director, said 20,000 animals had been vaccinated in the Narowal district, while animals were being sprayed for the elimination of flies, mosquitoes and maggots to prevent them from lumpy skin disease.

He said the consumption of meat and milk of animals suffering from lumpy skin disease does not spread the disease. He said an awareness campaign was launched.

He said only cows were infected by the disease.

Deputy Commissioner Shahid Farid could not be reached for his version.

Citizens demanded that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Minister Parvez Elahi take immediate notice of the situation.

Published in Dawn, August 16th, 2022