Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Oct 27: Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), an infectious viral disease among cattle continues to affect more cattle worrying farmers in Kashmir.
Farmers said that though the mortality rate of LSD is not so high, animals infected with the disease are unable to produce enough milk even after they are cured, hitting their economy.
Livelihood of thousands of families is directly or indirectly dependent on cattle rearing.
Mohammad Ibrahim, a farmer in Anantnag said that they have two cows and both got infected. They have recovered but their milk production has reduced.
He said that despite less mortality rate, infection is making cows very weak and then they are unable to produce milk thereby affecting the economy of farmers.
Farmers said that many lost their cattle and the government must look into it and compensate them.
They demand that the government must vaccinate all the cattle who are yet to get affected by the issue so as to keep them away from it.
Joint Director Animal Husbandry Kashmir Dr Hussain said that 17,488 cases have been reported in Kashmir so far and 7,779 have already recovered while 6,467 cases are active.
He said that 1,242 deaths have been reported so far and Pulwama known as ‘Anand’ of Kashmir has reported the highest number of cases 2,641 followed by 2,548 in Kulgam and 2314 in Kulgam.
Hussain said that the vaccination process is ongoing and so far around 4,63,000 vaccines have been given to cattle in different districts of the valley.
He said that there are surplus vaccines available everywhere and the vaccination process is going on.
