Sikkim prohibits entry of dairy cows from outside after detection of Lumpy Skin Disease

EOI, GANGTOK, MAY 20, 2023 : Following the detection of a few positive cases of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in the Pakyong, Soreng and Namchi districts, the Sikkim Government has prohibited the entry of dairy cows in Sikkim from outside the state with immediate effect, the Animal Husbandry Department informed in a Press release on Saturday.
Only bullock and buffalo bullock for immediate slaughter for the purpose of beef would be allowed, subject to the condition that such animals are entered in the register at the check post and are taken to the place of slaughter. The District Animal Husbandry Department would monitor the movement of the animals.

It may be mentioned that cases of LSD in cattle has been detected in the neighbouring Darjeeling district of West Bengal, particularly in areas close to the Nepal border like the Mirik sub-division and the Bijanbari area. It is believed that the disease has spread from Nepal and there is a demand in Darjeeling that the entry of cattle from Nepal be stopped.

The districts of Pakyong, Soreng and Namchi have been notified as Controlled Areas under the Prevention and Conrol of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animal Act 2009.Lumpy skin disease is transmitted by arthropod vectors such as mosquitoes, biting flies and ticks. The disease is characterized by mild fever for two to three days followed by development of stiff, round cutaneous nodules (2-5 cm in diameter) on the skin all over the body. 

 These nodules are circumscribed, firm, round, raised and involves the skin, subcutaneous tissue and sometimes muscles. Symptoms may include lesions in mouth, pharynx and respiratory tract, emaciation, enlarged lymph nodes, oedema of limbs, reduction in milk production, abortion, infertility and sometimes death up to five percent of the affected animals. Animals often recover within a period of two to three weeks. 

All affected animals will have to be immediately isolated from healthy animals, animal movement will have to be prohibited in the affected areas, vector control in the areas will have to be adopted to reduce the incidence. Dead animals must be disposed off by deep burial method. 

The Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department is vaccinating all healthy animals in the state. All dairy farmers have been advised to contact the nearest Veterinary Dispensary or Hospitals for vaccination. 

 The technical assessment and measures for control of the disease was discussed in the high level meeting held under the chairmanship of the Secretary Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department P. Senthil Kumar on Friday.