Hundreds of cattle in Kanaighat upazila of Sylhet district have contracted lumpy skin disease — causing grave concern among farmers ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. Some 300 cows infected with lumpy skin disease have died in the upazila; cattle farmers and those who rear cows at home are facing huge losses as a result. Sources said, the viral disease has been noticed in most cattle farms in the upazila. Cattle farmers are particularly worried considering the Eid-ul-Azha season, as they have been rearing the animals for the occasion. Due to the outbreak of the virus, no cattle market has been set up in the upazila. Cattle farmers worry over spread of lumpy skin disease The viral disease is being noticed in Laxmiprashad West, Laxmiprashad East, Dighirpar East, Satbak and the municipality area. The veterinarians in the Upazila Livestock Hospital are struggling to provide medical treatment to the cattle. Talking to owners and farmers of different cattle farms, UNB’s Sylhet correspondent learnt that lumpy skin disease had spread in the area two and a half months ago. At first, small lumps were seen on the cows and later the lumps were swollen. At one stage, reddish holes appeared on the cows’ skin, the farmers described. Workshop discusses measures to prevent lumpy skin disease The infected cows cannot be fed properly as their throats also swell up, they added. Most of the infected cows die due to gradual weakening. It is a highly contagious virus, but the affected cattle can be cured after a few months of proper treatment. Dr. Nabanita Sarkar Tonni, in-charge of Kanaighat Upazila Livestock Hospital, said most of the cattle in the locality are being infected with the virus and there is no vaccine and medicine for its treatment. Lumpy skin disease causes concern for Faridpur cattle farmers The authorities concerned of the hospital have already circulated leaflets and made announcements about the outbreak of lumpy skin disease. A meeting has also been arranged in each union with farmers and farm owners over the issue, she said. “Despite manpower shortage, we are providing treatment to the infected cattle. It takes 3-4 months for the cows to be fully cured and the farmers have been asked to have patience,” she added. Dr Nabanita also advised the farmers to keep their cows under nets, so that the virus is not spread to healthy animals. The Fisheries and Livestock Ministry suggested checking mosquito breeding in farm areas and using antipyretic, antibiotic and antihistamine from registered veterinarians to control the disease. Read more: Eid-ul-Azha 2023: 1,76,690 sacrificial animals ready in Chapainawabganj

Cattle farmers in Shahzadpur upazila of Sirajganj district are worried over the sudden outbreak of lumpy skin disease affecting the livestock ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. Already 200 cattle in the upazila have been infected with the disease within one week. Sources said nearly three lakh cattle have been reared in the upazila and there are 7,000 cattle farms. The cattle farmers of the upazila reared one lakh cattle for the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha which will be taken to different cattle markets including Dhaka. But due to the sudden outbreak of lumpy skin disease, the cattle farmers in the upazila are passing their days in worry of spreading the disease to every corner of the upazila. Though the upazila veterinary office injected vaccines to the infected cattle, they did not find any positive output in this regard. Talking to some cattle farmers including Yeasin Mollah and Farhad Hossain, they said they are busy rearing cattle aiming to meet the demand of sacrificial animals during Eid-ul-Azha. They are preparing to sell their cattle in the local haat before Eid and after getting money they will meet their domestic expenses in the whole year. If the skin disease spreads to the other cattle they will have to face losses, said the farmers. Also Read: Sher Khan may trigger bull run in Kushtia cattle market Many cattle in Potazia, Reshambari, Choto chamtara, Angaru and Barabil in Shahzadpur upazila have been reported to be infected with lumpy skin disease. Saidul Islam, a veterinary physician, said the farmers in the upazila were found frustrated with the spread of lumpy skin disease and a number of cattle were found to be infected in Ullapara and Raiganj upazila of the district too.  Dr Mizanur Rahman, Upazila Livestock Officer, said the cattle farmers might have been affected by the spread of the disease and 200 cattle have been diagnosed with the disease within one week. Already directives have been given to bring the cattle under vaccination, he said.

Cattle farmers are scratching their heads at the sudden outbreak of lumpy skin disease affecting the livestock over the last two and a half months.