UP to get one crore vaccine for lumpy skin disease

Lucknow, Sep 27 (IANS) The Uttar Pradesh government will ensure the availability of one crore vaccine doses to control the spread of the lumpy skin disease in cattle.

UP Animal Husbandry Minister Dharmpal Singh has issued directions to this effect.

Additional chief secretary, animal husbandry, Rajneesh Dubey said that, so far, 65 lakh doses of the vaccine against lumpy skin disease have already been administered.

Till Tuesday, 1.18 crore vaccine doses have been distributed to districts.

Cases of lumpy skin disease have been reported from 40 districts till now and 8,825 cattle have been affected.

The official said that only 59 animals have succumbed to the disease till date.

The minister said that at least 3.5 lakh doses of the vaccine should be given each day. He said if the department receives information of any animal fair taking place in the state, which have been banned currently in light of the spread of the disease, then strict action must be taken against the organisers.

“In the 35 unaffected districts of west and central Uttar Pradesh, the rate of vaccination must be increased and goatpox vaccine must be distributed there. Special attention must be given to preventing the disease in Varanasi,” the minister said.

The minister said that the capacity of cow shelters must be increased on mission mode to accommodate stray cattle. For this, he said, the animal husbandry department must coordinate with the department of urban development.

The minister also expressed displeasure at the slow pace of artificial insemination and said that the targets set under the programme must be met within the deadlines.