Lumpy Skin Disease Epidemic: More than 14k animals dead

By Dil Bahadur Singh, Doti, Sept. 12: A total of 14,390 four-footed animals have lost their lives due to the epidemic lumpy skin disease Directorate of the Livestock and Fishery Development. 

According to Pushkar Nath, Spokesperson to the Directorate of the Livestock and Fishery Development, a loss of more than Rs 3 million for farmers has incurred due to the epidemic of lumpy skin disease, spread in animals.

He said, "As many as 346,808 animals have been infected with the lumpy skin disease so far. Some local levels have been administered against the disease and the treatment of the disease is ongoing as well."

Baitadi district is most affected by the disease with 3,449 death cases of animals while with 119 cases Kanchanpur ranks the lowest in the province. 

Likewise, 2,075 death cases were reported in Doti, followed by 2,427 in Bajhang, 2,291 in Achham 1,531 in in Darchula,  1,530 in Dadeldhura,  693 in Bajura, and 275 cases in Kailali.

Vaccines against lumpy disease have been administered in Kailali, Kanchanpur, Baitadi, and Bajura. A total of 5,800 vaccines have been administered in Kailali, 292 in Kanchanpur, 700 in Baitadi, and 325 in Bajura. Different governments are working together to curb this skin disease.

Even though many animals are dying because of the disease, no effective efforts are performed except for collecting data to curb some programs run at the local levels. Even the farmers are suffering financially as animals are catching the disease and dying, 

Dev Oli, a local of Purbichauki  Rural Municipality-2, Bagaleg, Doti, said that he is taking out loans to buy another buffalo as his milking buffalo died of the lumpy skin disease. 

He said," My buffalo was worth Rs 80 thousand, but, it died because of lack of treatment. It gave us enough milk. Now, I have to buy another buffalo."

According to the Directorate of Livestock and Fishery Development, a loss incurred due to the lumpy skin disease is presented to the disaster management committee. Vaccination programs and other relief programs will run after the decision from the provincial ministerial cabinet followed by the recommendation by the disaster management committee.