Belagavi
Belgaum district is once again battling lumpy skin disease, a viral infection affecting cattle, with the current wave primarily impacting calves. The Department of Animal Husbandry has begun a vaccination drive aimed at protecting calves from the disease.
This marks the third phase of the outbreak, with the first phase affecting local cattle and the second phase impacting crossbreed cattle. In this phase, the disease is predominantly affecting cow calves. However, authorities have noted that the severity of the disease has decreased compared to the initial wave.
Lumpy skin disease is spread by blood-feeding insects such as flies, mosquitoes, and ticks. It causes fever and skin nodules, and in severe cases, can lead to death, particularly in cattle that have not previously encountered the virus.
The department has started vaccinating calves aged 4 to 12 months, with a target of vaccinating around 70,000 calves within a week. A total of 1.6 lakh doses have been allocated for this vaccination drive. In addition, a Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccination drive concluded on November 20, covering 12.5 lakh cattle. The ongoing vaccination efforts aim to cover 5.6 lakh cattle in the district.
