After creating havoc in northern India in year 2022, Lumpy skin disease is again spreading its tentacle among dairy animals mainly cattle in the state Said Dr J P S Gill, Vice Chancellor, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary & Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana. Dr Gill 
further stated that Livestock farmers need to strengthen the biosecurity and cleanliness on the farm to prevent this disease.
Dr Swaran Singh Randhawa, Dean College of Veterinary Science, Ludhiana said that this disease is a viral disease caused by Capripoxvirus and transmitted by arthropod vectors like mosquitoes, biting flies, and ticks. The main signs of this disease include fever (106F) followed by the development of cutaneous nodules (2-5 cm) all over the body, but some time lesions might involve the mouth, pharynx & respiratory tract, and cause pneumonia, enlarged lymph nodes, edema of limbs or brisket region revealed Dr Randhawa. This further leads to anorexia, dribbling of saliva, watery eyes running nose and drastic decrease in Milk production. Dr Randhawa said that as it is a viral disease there is no direct treatment, however febrile animal can be managed with commercially available antipyretics in consultation with local vet. However, if fever persists or the animal shows nasal discharge/ respiratory signs, antibiotics needs to be administered to check for secondary infection. Vector control strategies should be followed strictly to curb the spread of disease to nearby animals he further added.
Dr Sushma, head, Veterinary Medicine further advised to use caution in the movement of animals or sale purchase during this period. Do cooperate with animal husbandry department’s vaccination campaign against LSD and get your healthy animals vaccinated against LSD. Dr Sushma further told that this disease is not zoonotic in nature and milk is safe for consumption after proper boiling/pasteurization.
It is worth mentioning here that university is organizing Pashu Palan Mela on 18-19 September 2026 on the theme “strengthen the biosecurity- prevent animal diseases” to aware the livestock farmers about biosecurity measures.
