Cattle in northern districts of the country are now getting infected at an alarming pace by virus lumpy skin disease (LSD). Hundreds of cattle in various villages in Thakurgaon district have been suffering from the disease for the last few days, making farmers anxious about their animals.
It was known that the lumpy skin disease has spread among cows in the district in the form of epidemic. Cows of different ages are dying of this disease every day. In the meantime, more than 50 cows have died of the virus in the district. In this situation, there is a risk of cattle crisis ahead of Eid-ul-Adha.
Most of the people in Bhakura Mahatpara village of Pirgandhsadharj upazila are farmers. Many farmers cows in this village are affected by Lumpy skin disease. Symptoms of this disease, fever, swollen feet, gouty pox can be seen in cows of this village.
Like Bhakura village, this disease has spread in the form of epidemic in almost all the villages including Bathpaligaon, Naraipur, Ganirhat, Chandipur, Malgaon, Maheshpur, Mohammadpur, Karna, Krishtapur, Chandaria, Bairchuna, Kaliyug, Upadil, Mallikpur, Banuapara, Saguni, Sengaon, Shashor Khating.
There have been instances of improper treatment of this disease, resulting death of cows in various villages. A foreign cow of Tazrina Begum of Mahatpura village in Bhakura died of lumpy skin disease. She said, when my cow was having trouble, the village doctor Mostafa came and gave 3 injections. The next day he again gave 3 injections, However, in the next morning my cow died.When a big cow of Jabayadur Rahman of Begungaon village became infected he rushed to the Upazila Veterinary Hospital with his cow.
He said that the village doctors are giving injections first. The doctors of the hospital are advising to give saline with paracetamol, antihistamines, baking soda, lemon, neem leaves and sugar. On top of that with treatment of unbeknownst doctors, cows are dying every day as they are trying to treat this viral disease with antibiotics and painkillers. Thus, more than 50 cows have died in this disease in the whole district.
However, according to the District Animal Resources Department, the disease has spread at a high rate in Pirgandhsadhar and Ranisankail upazilas out of 5 upazilas of the district. To create awareness among the farmers, the Animal Resources Department is distributing leaflets and advising not to give treatment through rural unbeknownst doctors.
According to the locals, at first the cow has a fever. Gradually, the body of the cow becomes swollen in different places. Then the pox cocoon appears on the body. At this time the cow does not eat anything. In the end, the manure is being created due to swelling or rupture of the pox.
However, District Animal Resources Officer (DLO) agriculturist Md. Altab Hossain said that the spread of Lumpy Skin Disease is a viral disease. To treat this disease, Paracetamol and anti-histamine drugs are also recommended. Vitamin C and zinc foods can also be used to boost immunity. Antibiotics cannot be applied under any circumstances. As a result, some cows are dying.
