Karnataka has recorded the third highest number of cattle deaths caused by lumpy skin disease (LSD) in the country afterRajasthanand Maharashtra, with largely unaffected southern regions like Bengaluru and Mysuru reporting more cases by the day.
The Karnataka toll stands at 21,908, behind Maharashtra (28,227) and Rajasthan (75,820). Punjab has counted 17,932 cattle deaths so far.
Experts claimed that vaccination and awareness programmes have helped control the spread of the disease in northern Karnataka, but the south seems to be the new nerve centre, which has farmers worried.
Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a highly contagious viral disease of cattle and buffalo. Infection typically includes symptoms like fever, 2-5cm-sized skin nodules, abortion in pregnant animals, depression and reduction in milk yield. The disease can result in animal welfare issues and significant production losses.
It is spread by movement of affected animals, by insects or parasites such as flies, mosquitoes and ticks, by contaminated equipment and directly from animal to animal in some cases.