Lumpy Skin Disease
Written by: Dr. Ghulam ullah DVM . RVMP
In a world where there are outbreaks of human diseases from time to time, animals are not immune to them either. The only difference is that they are unable to describe their condition.
Today, most developed countries including developing countries are under the grip of Lumpy Skin Disease, an epidemic in animals.
Let us shed some light on this disease in simple words:
1. This lumpy skin disease is finally done. Have a disease?
As the name suggests, this is a disease in which blisters form inside the animal's skin that is easily visible.
2. What animals does this disease affect?
This disease affects only cows and buffaloes.
3. What is the history of this disease?
The disease was first reported in Zambia in 1929, but since these were the first cases, the disease was ignored as a temporary allergy due to the toxic effect of fodder or an insect bite. This disease appeared in many other countries in early 1945 and spread from time to time.
4. What bacteria causes this disease?
This disease is caused by a virus of the Capripoxvirus genus of the Poxviridae family.
5. How is this disease spread?
This disease is mostly spread by insects. When a mosquito or horse fly bites an infected animal and bites a healthy animal, it also makes it sick. The second case is that if the blood or saliva of an infected animal or any device on which this virus is present is applied to the wound of a healthy animal, that animal also becomes sick.
6. What are the symptoms of this disease?
When the virus enters the body of an animal, symptoms of the disease usually begin a week later.
* The first sign is that the animal's nose starts running and tears start coming out of the eyes.
* In the second sign, the armpits of their front and back legs are swollen. The swollen area feels hard to the touch and is easily visible.
* High fever lasts continuously for a week.
* The production of milk decreases a lot at once.
* At the same time, blisters are formed on the body, which is mostly present on the head, neck, breast, and penis. These galls are formed inside the skin while in many cases they are also formed inside the flesh.
* Due to the throat in the mouth and nose, a lot of water comes out from the nose and mouth of the animal, which is full of viruses.
* Generally, the goiter area bursts in the middle and that goiter lasts for several months.
* Sometimes the eye of the animal is also formed due to which the animal becomes blind.
7. How to avoid this disease?
If any of the above-mentioned symptoms appear, immediately separate the affected animal from other animals and the person feeding and caring for them should not come near healthy animals. Also, keep other farm workers away from the animals. Keep the animal in one place. Wash your hands with soap before going to the farm and do not take anything inside the farm or bring anything from outside. Put a netting cloth around the animals so that no mosquitoes or flies get inside. Constantly monitor your farm to kill any mosquitoes or other blood-sucking insects immediately.
If even one infected animal is found on the farm, test the healthy animals as well.
8. Is this disease fatal for animals?
Yes, but its fatality rate is low. Generally, the chances of animal deaths are from 1 to 5 percent, but sometimes if the animal is seriously ill, this rate can go up to forty percent, but this happens in very few cases.
9. What is the treatment for this disease?
Since it is a viral disease, there is no cure for it. Vaccines are available for animals that are administered before the disease so that the animal is protected from the respective disease. After getting sick, medicines are given to the animal to reduce fever, reduce pain, protect it from weakness and prevent bacterial diseases due to wounds.
It takes several months for the animal to heal, while it can take a year for the wounds or their marks to disappear from the body.
10. Can the milk or meat of an infected animal be used?
Yes, of course. According to several authentic types of research and FAO guidelines, both meat and milk of infected animals can be used and this disease has no negative effect on humans. Take the dead animals away from the village and bury them so that the rest of the animals are safe. Avoid dumping animals in streams and rivers or on roadsides.
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