Lumpy skin disease outbreak in India

The 2022 lumpy skin disease outbreak in India resulted in the death of over 97,000 cattle in three months between July and 23 September.[1][6][7] Starting from outbreaks in Gujarat and Rajasthan, in three months cattle in 15 states across India were affected.[1] On 21 September, out of 18,50,000 cases over 65% of cases were from Rajasthan.[8] Over 50,000 deaths were reported from Rajasthan.[9] India's cattle population according to the last livestock census was 192.5 million.[10]

2022 lumpy skin disease outbreak in India
DateJuly–September 2022
LocationIndia,
15 states 251 districts (as on 23 Sept)[1]
Deaths97,000+ cattle
(as on 23 Sept)[1]
Affected20,00,000 cattle
(as on 23 Sept)[1]
Cattle vaccinated1.66 crore
(by 23 Sept)[1]
Cattle population192.5 million (2019)
Five states with the most cattle deaths- Rajasthan, Punjab, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana.[1] Other states such as Madhya Pradesh reported its first death in mid-September 2022;[2] there have been 1436 deaths in Maharashtra.[3] UP has seen at least 378 deaths.[4][5]

Outbreak edit

In November 2019 lumpy skin disease in the country was confirmed in a lab.[6] It was mainly restricted to sporadic cases in locations such as Odisha.[11][12] The origin or source of the disease in India,[13] as well as the outbreak in 2022 remained unknown.[14] A comparison and analysis of the 2022 outbreak with the 2019 version found differences in the disease.[15] States such as Kerala reported 30-40 cases each between December 2019 and January 2021.[13] In August 2020 cases were reported from Assam.[16]

Cases were first reported in April 2022 from Gujarat.[17][18][19][20] In late July 2022 Gujarat introduced bans on cattle movement in select districts.[21] Maharashtra's first case was reported on August 4 in Jalgaon district.[22] On 6 August Rajasthan imposed restrictions on cattle fairs.[23] On 20 August Panchkula district banned inter-district transport.[24] On 24 August Uttar Pradesh started introducing restrictions.[25] Affected districts in Madhya Pradesh saw movement bans.[26] On 14 September cattle transport in Mumbai was banned;[17] health certification is needed for movement.[27] On 23 September Uttar Pradesh initiated more bans in movement of cattle.[28] States such as Chhattisgarh initiated preventive measures even while it reported no cases of the disease.[29] Delhi started free vaccinations on 26 September.[30]

Impact edit

The direct economic loss includes the value of the dead cattle, and associated losses such as decrease in the production of milk, including a decrease of yield in infected cattle.[31] Movement restrictions add to the indirect losses.[31] In August 2022 Gujarat reported a dip in milk collection amounting to approximately 1,00,000 liters per day in certain locations.[32] Collection of milk in Rajasthan fell by over 20% in August 2022; by September collection had decreased by 500,000-600,000 litres per day.[33] In some places collection has fallen to zero in Rajasthan.[33] This has not impacted the price of milk.[34] On 12 September Mother Dairy's managing director said the impact on production was minor.[10]

Scientific response edit

Indian laboratories have undertaken research on a domestic vaccine since 2019.[15][35] Lumpi-ProVacInd was launched in August 2022.[36] The vaccine has not been cleared for emergency use.[37]

Goat pox vaccine has been found effective and is being administered.[37][38] Veterinary Biological Research Institute, Telangana,[39][40] Indian Immunologicals and Hester Biosciences are manufacturing the goat pox vaccine.[41] India also has capabilities for manufacturing a sheep pox vaccine.[42]

Testing has been expanded.[43][44]

Public statements and explanations have been made related to the disease not impacting humans, and the impact of the disease on milk or meat.[41][45] This includes statements by the Maharashtra animal husbandry commissioner,[22][46] an Indian Council of Medical Research scientist,[22] a joint director of the Indian Veterinary Research Institute,[41] and head of department of veterinary medicine at a university in Punjab.[47]

Further reading edit

  • Roche, X; Rozstalnyy, A; TagoPacheco, D; Kamata, A; et al. (2020), "Introduction and spread of lumpy skin disease in South, East and Southeast Asia" (PDF), FAO Animal Production and Health Paper 183, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
  • "India: Outbreak of Lumpy Skin Disease in Cattle Raises Alarm". USDA Foreign Agricultural Service. Attaché Report (GAIN). 9 August 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
Journals

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Sharma, Harikishan (26 September 2022). "Lumpy skin disease: Nearly 1 lakh cattle deaths, toll almost double in three weeks". The Indian Express. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  2. ^ "Indore reports first death due to lumpy skin disease". The Times of India. 16 September 2022. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  3. ^ "Lumpy Skin Disease: 1,436 cattle die in Maharashtra". Business Line. The Hindu. 3 October 2022. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  4. ^ Lalchandani, Neha (29 September 2022). "Lumpy skin disease spreads to other parts of UP". The Times of India. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  5. ^ Jigeesh, A. M. (31 August 2022). "Western U.P. farmers hapless as cows die of Lumpy Skin Disease". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  6. ^ a b Jolly, Bani; Scaria, Vinod (24 September 2022). "The evolution of lumpy skin disease virus". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  7. ^ Bajeli-Datt, Kavita (23 September 2022). "Current outbreak of lumpy skin disease distinct from 2019, need large-scale genomic surveillance: Study". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  8. ^ Rao, Lingamgunta Nirmitha (21 September 2022). Goswami, Sohini (ed.). "Lumpy skin disease: Lakhs of cattle suffer, Rajasthan worst-hit". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  9. ^ Munjal, Diksha (20 September 2022). "Explained | What is lumpy skin disease in cattle? Does it affect milk we consume?". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  10. ^ a b "Over 67,000 Cattle Died So Far By Lumpy Virus In India: Government". NDTV. Press Trust of India. 12 September 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  11. ^ Haq, Zia (15 September 2022). "Lumpy skin disease: Cattle epidemic rages on despite vaccination". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  12. ^ Nitnaware, Himanshu (7 September 2022). "Declare lumpy skin an epidemic, say Uttar Pradesh cattle owners; seek aid". Down to Earth. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  13. ^ a b Shagun; Shaji, K A; Panda, Ajit; Chakravartty, Anupam (13 January 2021). "Lumpy skin disease: The deadly pandemic that has taken root among India's bovines". Down to Earth. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  14. ^ "Lumpy skin disease may be spreading unusually because of 47 virus variants found in India: Study". Scroll.in. 21 September 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  15. ^ a b Koshy, Jacob (18 September 2022). "Lumpy skin disease virus different from 2019 version". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  16. ^ Deka, Bitopan (27 August 2020). "Lumpy skin disease among cattle to hit milk production in Assam". EastMojo. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  17. ^ a b "Lumpy skin: the affliction may prove a death knell for dairy industry". The Statesman. 24 September 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  18. ^ "Kutch: ગાયોના મોતથી માલધારીઓમાં ચિંતા, લખપતના ગામોમાં ફેલાયું લમ્પી સ્કિન ડીસીઝ" [Kutch: Death of cows worries farmers, Lumpy skin disease spread in Lakhpat villages]. News18 Gujarati (in Gujarati). 25 April 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  19. ^ "ચેતવણીઃ ગુજરાતની ગાયોમાં મોટા રોગના ભણકારા, થાય છે માત્ર સાત દિવસમાં મોત" [Warning: Major disease outbreak in Gujarat cows, death occurs in just seven days]. ETV Bharat News. 26 April 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  20. ^ Kulkarni, Abhimanyu (14 September 2022). "What Is Lumpy Skin Disease And How India Is Fighting It: 10 Points". NDTV. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  21. ^ "Lumpy Skin Disease: Ban on livestock transport from 14 districts". The Indian Express. 27 July 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  22. ^ a b c "'Lumpy Skin Disease in livestock poses no risk to human health'". The Indian Express. 14 September 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  23. ^ "Cattle fairs brought to a halt in Rajasthan to control lumpy skin disease". The Hindu. 6 August 2022. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  24. ^ "Panchkula admn imposes ban on inter-dist movement of cattle". The Tribune India. 20 August 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  25. ^ "Lumpy skin disease: Govt orders temporary ban on cattle fairs and transport". The Indian Express. 24 August 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  26. ^ "2,171 cattle found infected with Lumpy skin disease in MP; transportation of bovine animals banned". Financial Express. The Indian Express. PTI. 11 September 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  27. ^ Shaikh, Mustafa (13 September 2022). "Maharashtra announces aid as 42 cattle succumb to lumpy skin disease". India Today. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  28. ^ "Lumpy skin disease: UP bans cattle trade with 4 states, restrict animal movement". Livemint. 23 September 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  29. ^ "Chhattisgarh Government Taking Preventive Measures Though No Cattle Lumpy Skin Disease Case Detected". Outlook India. PTI. 21 September 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  30. ^ "Lumpy Skin Disease: Delhi starts vaccination to restrict the spread". Livemint. Press Trust of India. 26 September 2022. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  31. ^ a b Shagun (30 September 2022). "Ground Report: Lumpy Skin Disease has created a livelihood crisis for India's small dairy farmers". Down to Earth. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  32. ^ "Gujarat, MP in Lumpy Skin Disease grip; milk production takes a hit". The New Indian Express. 6 August 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  33. ^ a b Saini, Sachin (19 September 2022). "Lumpy skin disease affects milk economy in Rajasthan; production down by 21%". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  34. ^ "Milk collection reduced by 3 to 4 lakh litre per day in this state". Livemint. 11 September 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  35. ^ Basu, Mohana (22 September 2022). "Faster mutations, heavy rains, crowded gaushalas — how lumpy skin disease spread like wildfire". The Print. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  36. ^ "Lumpy skin disease: Narendra Singh Tomar launches indigenous vaccine". The Indian Express. 11 August 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  37. ^ a b Shagun (8 September 2022). "Lumpy skin disease outbreak: Indigenous vaccine still awaits emergency-use clearance". Down to Earth. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  38. ^ Keval, Varun (15 September 2022). "Telangana only state manufacturing goat pox vaccine in India". Telangana Today. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  39. ^ "Telangana only state manufacturing goat pox vaccine in India". Telangana Today. 15 September 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  40. ^ PTI (11 August 2022). "Lumpy skin disease: 1.16 lakh doses of goat pox vaccine administered to cattle in Punjab". ThePrint. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  41. ^ a b c "Safe to consume milk from Lumpy Skin Disease-infected cattle, says IVRI official". The New Indian Express. PTI. 14 September 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  42. ^ Kateshiya, Gopal (29 September 2022). "Lumpy skin disease: Worry over vaccine duopoly". The Indian Express. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  43. ^ Rahar, Sunil (21 September 2022). "Haryana: Lumpy skin disease cases begin to fall; 100% cattle vaccinated in Bhiwani, Fatehabad". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  44. ^ "Farm varsity lab gets nod for Lumpy Skin Disease testing". Hindustan Times. 24 September 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  45. ^ Husain, Yusra (25 September 2022). "Lumpy Skin Disease: Are we staring at a milk drought in Maharashtra?". Mid-day. Retrieved 25 September 2022. The FAO states that "Lumpy Skin Disease does not affect humans"
  46. ^ Devikar, Namrata (13 September 2022). "Amid rumours discouraging milk consumption, Lumpy Skin Disease can't be transmitted to humans: govt". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  47. ^ Toppo, Abha (10 August 2022). "How Farmers Can Protect Their Cattle from Lumpy Skin Disease? Expert Tips Inside". Krishi Jagran. Retrieved 25 September 2022.