The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has stepped up efforts to control Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) through vaccination, surveillance and farmer awareness programmes. The disease, which affects cattle and buffaloes, has caused heavy economic losses in recent years by reducing milk production, affecting fertility and increasing livestock mortality.
Officials say early detection and timely vaccination remain the most effective ways to prevent the disease from spreading. Veterinary teams are working with state governments to monitor outbreaks and provide vaccination services in vulnerable districts.
What Is Lumpy Skin Disease?
Lumpy Skin Disease is a viral disease that mainly affects cattle. Infected animals develop fever, skin nodules, swelling of lymph nodes and a sharp decline in milk production. The disease spreads primarily through biting insects such as mosquitoes, flies and ticks.
Although the disease rarely infects humans, it can severely affect dairy farming by reducing productivity and increasing treatment costs.
Veterinary experts advise farmers to vaccinate healthy animals before disease outbreaks occur.
The government has expanded vaccination campaigns using indigenous vaccines developed for Indian conditions. Regular immunisation helps reduce the severity of outbreaks and limits economic losses for dairy farmers.
Officials also recommend isolating infected animals and immediately informing local veterinary officers if symptoms appear.
Better Farm Management Reduces Risk
Scientists say good farm hygiene plays an important role in controlling the disease.
Farmers are advised to keep cattle sheds clean, remove stagnant water where insects breed and regularly disinfect animal housing. Controlling flies, mosquitoes and ticks can significantly reduce disease transmission.
Providing balanced nutrition and clean drinking water also helps improve immunity and recovery among affected animals.
India is the world’s largest milk producer, and healthy livestock are essential for maintaining dairy production.
Experts believe coordinated vaccination, disease surveillance and farmer awareness will help reduce future outbreaks. Strengthening veterinary services and encouraging farmers to report suspected cases quickly can improve disease control across the country.
With timely vaccination and scientific livestock management, India aims to protect its cattle population, improve dairy productivity and safeguard the livelihoods of millions of livestock farmers.
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