Delhi, July 30: With the Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) is globally on the rise in at least ten states, the India government has beefed up vaccination in order to prevent the virus for further infection.
As per Odisha, the state health deparment in collaboration with the Animal Husbandry Department has vaccinated at least 251.63 lakh animals, to contain the LSD virus across the state.
According to sources, the virus is active in Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Mizoram, Maharashtra and Karnataka. Presently active cases are reported only in the State of Maharashtra.
Financial assistance is provided to the States/UTs as per the demand for procurement of vaccine doses for carrying out vaccination against LSD and related disease control activities under Assistance to State for Control of Animal Diseases (ASCAD) of Livestock Health and Disease Control Program (LHDCP).
The funds of Rs. 196.61 crore have been released to States/UTs during the year 2024-25. The states/UTs are also supported technically through the visits of Central Expert Teams for on ground support including physical and virtual meetings for sensitization the states / UTs authorities. The guidelines/advisories for control of LSD including vaccination and treatment have been circulated to States / UTs for implementation so as to control and contain the disease within a definite timeline. A permanent strategy has been formulated to prevent such infections in future.
The Department is implementing the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP) Scheme, in all States/UTs with the aim of reducing risk to animal health by prophylactic vaccination against diseases of animals, capacity building of Veterinary services, disease surveillance and strengthening veterinary infrastructure which contribute to the improvement and protection of livestock health.
Under Assistance to States for Control of Animal Disease (ASCAD) of LHDCP support is provided to State/UT for establishment and strengthening of Laboratories and Biological Production Units (BPUs) for disease diagnosis and supplementing production of diagnostic kits/vaccines, capacity building and awareness/training on topics like Good Animal Husbandry Practices, biosecurity/sanitary measures, vector control etc.
The disease specific National Action Plans (NAPs) and Guidelines are formulated for prevention and control of animal diseases which include identification and notification of the affected area, isolation of affected animals, implementation of biosecurity measures.
The Crisis Management Plan (CMP) has been developed for Livestock diseases in managing and responding to animal disease outbreaks, ensuring swift containment and mitigation.
‘Standard Veterinary Treatment Guidelines (SVTGs) are formulated for best practices in veterinary care to enhance livestock health and disease control.
The Department provides 100% central assistance to Indian Council of Agricultural Research, National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics (ICAR- NIVEDI), Bengaluru for carrying out sero-surveillance, sero-monitoring, disease diagnosis, training of laboratory personnel and other related activities. Also early warning and alerts are also provided on 15 diseases in local languages to farmers, veterinarians and field officials through National Animal Disease Referral Expert System (NADRES) platform.
According to the animal vaccination details of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) since 2022 till today, Bihar has vaccinated 284.04 lakh animals whereas Chhattisgarh has recorded 83.72 lakhs animals that are vaccinated as a preventive measure for the disease.
Similarly, Karnataka has yet vaccinated as many as 183.97 lakh animals to contain the virus-caused infection, said the Parliament database.
This information was given by Union Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Prof. SP Singh Baghel, in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
