ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Ministry of National Food Security & Research has confirmed the presence of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in Bahawalpur, Karachi, Jamshoro, Hyderabad, and Thatta.
The Lumpy Skin Disease only affects cattle, and is caused by a virus which spreads through bites of mosquitoes, tse tse flies, and ticks.
The LSD has no public health implications because it is not transferred to humans. Boiled milk and well-cooked meat from the affected cattle are safe for human consumption.
In order to control the disease and to prevent its spread from one place to another, the Animal Husbandry Commissioner has issued guidelines to the provinces which, inter alia, include information for the awareness of farmers and professionals.
The sheep/goat pox vaccine, which is already available in the Country, is effective against the LSD virus. But the government is making urgent arrangements to import LSD vaccines.