Jaipur, Aug 2 (UNI) Deaths of over 2,500 cattle heads due to lumpy skin disease in nine districts of Rajasthan have triggered panic across the desert state. According to a senior official in the animal husbandry department, “While over 2,500 cattle heads have died due to the viral disease, around 50,000 more have been infected. The viral infection has already spread to nine districts, mostly adjoining Gujarat which has become the epicenter of the disease.”
The nine districts from which cattle deaths have been reported are Barmer, Jalore, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Pali, Ganganagar, Nagaur, Sirohi, and Jaisalmer. “There is no vaccination available for the disease which is being treated based on symptoms. The first batch of cases was reported from Jaisalmer in May, where the situation seems to be under control now,” the official said. A team of scientists and veterinary doctors from the Centre visited Jodhpur and Nagaur on Monday to take stock of the situation. Senior officials confirmed that the team will also visit Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Bikaner, Jalore, Barmer, Jaisalmer, Pali, and Sirohi. An alert has been issued in Dungarpur, Banswara, Udaipur, Rajsamand, and the districts adjoining the Gujarat border.
