LUMPY SKIN DISEASE
Union minister of Fisheries, Animal husbandry and Dairying recently directed prompt action on reports of rising cases of lumpy skin disease (LSD) in livestock of Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts of West Bengal.
LSD is caused by the lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), which is a virus of the capri poxvirus genus in the poxviridae family.
The LSDV mainly affects cattle – cow and its progeny, and the Asian water buffaloes.
HOW IS IT SPREAD?
The LSDV spreads through blood-sucking vectors like ticks and mites like houseflies, mosquitoes, etc. It also spreads through contaminated water, fodder and feed.
HOW DOES IT IMPACT?
LSDV attacks the circulatory system of an animal and causes inflammation of blood vessels and lesions in various organs like liver, lungs, spleen, lymph nodes etc.
In turn, it causes epidermis, which leads to formation of lumps or nodules on an animal’s body. Other symptoms include fever, increased mucus secretion, loss of appetite, etc.
CAN IT SPREAD TO HUMANS?
The good news is that the disease cannot spread among humans or cannot be transferred from the infected animals to humans.
DOES IT IMPACT THE DAIRY PRODUCE?
Moreover, reports show that the disease does not affect the products of animals as well so you can consume dairy products without any worry.
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