Parshottam Rupala Urges Swift Response to Rising Lumpy Skin Disease Cases in West Bengal

Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Parshottam Rupala, has taken immediate action in response to a letter from Member of Parliament Raju Bista, expressing concerns over the escalating instances of lumpy skin disease (LSD) in the Kalimpong and Darjeeling districts of West Bengal.

The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, operating under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, has swiftly responded to the concerns raised by livestock farmers in the Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts of West Bengal. The department took immediate action upon receiving reports of suspected cases of LSD, a highly destructive ailment affecting cattle and buffaloes.

After conducting field investigations, it has been determined that there have been no instances of cattle deaths caused by LSD in Darjeeling and Kalimpong.

Approximately 400 unvaccinated cattle in Darjeeling and 2000 in Kalimpong were found to be infected, but 200 and 1200 of them respectively have already recovered. The remaining infected cattle are currently undergoing treatment, and measures such as ring vaccination of cattle in affected areas are being implemented to contain the spread of the disease.

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Further, no cases of LSD have been reported in sheep or goats in either district, with the infection primarily affecting unvaccinated cattle. Rest assured; the situation is being effectively managed.

Diagnostic facilities are easily accessible in the area, and the Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (RDDL) in Kolkata has been given authorization and financial assistance to conduct surveillance of cattle by conducting PCR tests for LSD. This information has been communicated to the state.

States have been consistently advised to implement vaccination programs according to a controlled and preventive strategy. The central government has communicated standardized rates for the procurement of vaccines to all states, including West Bengal. Financial assistance, with a 60:40 share under the ASCAD scheme, is being provided to the states.

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To assess the situation on the ground and provide support to the state Animal Husbandry Department for the control and containment of LSD within a specific timeframe, a central team has been formed. This team comprises one officer from the North Eastern Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in Guwahati and one officer from the Eastern Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in Kolkata. Their visit to the affected area aims to evaluate the ground situation and help in combating the spread of LSD.

The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying is ensuring the adoption of essential measures, such as funding and technical assistance, to effectively control and prevent the outbreak of Livestock Sector Development in the nation. However, it is important to note that the responsibility for implementing these measures in the field lies with the respective state governments, as Animal Husbandry falls under the jurisdiction of the states as a subject matter.

-PIB

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