Team Herald
MARGAO: In the wake of the rapid spread of Lumpy Skin disease amongst cattle across the country, the State government has started taking precautionary measures to curb the potential spread of the virus within Goa.
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The State Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services has started carrying out a vaccination exercise in this regard. In certain places, cows that are showing symptoms have been identified and are being treated.
This comes against the backdrop of various States including Goa prohibiting the transportation and entry of livestock such as goats, sheep and buffaloes from other States, directly or indirectly.
Lumpy Skin Disease, a viral infection similar to goat pox, is transmitted by insects that feed on the blood of cattle. The infection is having a devastating effect on the cattle population of India across
14 States, with fatalities touching 70,000. The disease is considered to be fatal for cows.
Elsewhere in Goa, there have been numerous cases where a large number of pigs have perished from a viral infection. This has taken place in Curtorim, Fatorda and Agassaim. State veterinary doctors have advised piggery owners, especially in areas where there have been deaths possibly due to the viral infection doing the rounds, to bring their pigs to the clinics for antiviral therapy to ensure that the pigs don’t contract a secondary bacterial infection and can have their immunity boosted.
