Lumpy Skin Disease in Cows- How serious is the threat for humans?........by Dr. Amandeep Aggarwal
Can Milk be consumed these days?
Lumpy Skin Disease is causing great havoc in Punjab as apart from agriculture dairy farming is a major source of income in rural Punjab. Most of the infections were seen in cows and were reported from 'gaushalas' and dairy farms.
The reason for the spread from one cow to another is mostly insect bites- the insects cause the spread through virus-containing blood carried from one animal to another.
As per official figures over 20000 cows and buffaloes have been affected by the disease out of which over 500 have died. People are afraid after going through the sensational posts on Social media university that show an affected cow and a child showing ulceration side by side.
It is being told that milk should not be consumed these days as most cattle are affected and after consuming such milk this disease affects humans, especially children.
Question: What is Lumpy Skin Disease?
Answer: LSD is caused by a virus of the capripox genus. It spreads rapidly among cows and buffaloes through flies, mosquitoes, and ticks. It causes soft blister-like nodules all over the body, fever, runny nose, watery eyes, salivation, reduced milk yield, and difficulty in eating.
Question: Can the Lumpy skin disease reach humans after consuming the milk of the affected cow?
Answer: There have been no such cases. The disease is restricted to animals. The milk if consumed after boiling or pasteurization kills all bacteria/ virus becomes disinfected and can be consumed.
Question: Can drinking the milk of animals taking antibiotics in large quantities can have an adverse effect?
Answer: If too much antibiotic is being given to milch animals suffering from the said disease, then it affects the milk too. This has come out in many studies. In such a situation, the animal breeders are requested to refrain from selling the milk of animals suffering from lumpy skin, which are being given antibiotics in large quantities. Give priority to selling milk from healthy animals.
General Advisory:
It is advised that an animal that has contracted LSD should be separated from others to check the spread of the infection. The movement of such animals should also be restricted.
Animals affected by LSD should be given green fodder and a liquid diet, Cattle owners should maintain hygienic conditions and spray disinfectants in animal sheds.
·Over 500 cattle have died due to lumpy skin disease in Punjab in a month.
Over 20,000, mostly cows, have been infected so far.
The first confirmed case of lumpy skin disease (LSD) was reported in Punjab on July 4.
August 10, 2022.
-
-
Amandeep Aggarwal, The writer is a Family Physician
dr_amanaggarwal@yahoo.co.in
Disclaimer : The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the writer/author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of Babushahi.com or Tirchhi Nazar Media. Babushahi.com or Tirchhi Nazar Media does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.