Binh Dinh: Lumpy skin disease breaks out across the province

Widespread of LSD

According to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Binh Dinh province, at the end of April 2021, Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) occurred in cattle in Cat Thanh commune, Phu Cat district. So far, the disease has spread to 11 districts, towns and city across the province.

By the end of June 2021, Binh Dinh reported 10,017 cows infected with the disease, accounting for 3.2% of total herd of which 877 dead cattle were culled and 4,939 others were cured.

Tay Son district is among the most infected areas with LSD in cow. By July 12, the district recorded 7,492 cows infected with LSD of which 427 dead cows were reported and destroyed, 5,602 cows have been cured and 1,463 LSD infected cows are now being treated.

The district’s authorities continue to monitor, inspect and detect new cases to give instructions on symptomatic treatment and at the same time give the treatment regime to encourage farm households to adopt and apply synchronous measures for disease prevention; actively taking care of livestock to increase resistance against disease.

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Binh Dinh province directed LSD prevention and control.  Two teams under the province’s Sub-department of Animal Husbandry and Health established units for disease prevention and control assigning members to monitor the situation in each area and timely assist the locality to handle the difficulties and prevent the disease.

 “We carry out spraying disinfectants and roll out vaccination in the infection confirmed areas. At the same time, we encourage farmers to buy vaccine themselves to vaccinate their livestock.

By the middle of July, 227,316 cows and buffaloes were vaccinated in the province, reaching 84.7% of total herd subject to vaccination. Vaccines are supported by the State or bought by farmers,” Deputy Head of Binh Dinh’s Sub-department of Animal Husbandry and Health, Nguyen Van Quoc said.

“Due to the complicated situation of LSD, customers are afraid and turning their backs to beef product.

As a result, recently beef consumption continued to drop sharply, causing economic loss to farmers”, Director of Binh Dinh’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Tran Van Phuc said.

Asking for help

Good news is that LSD in the two districts of Cat Thanh and Cat Khanh (Phu Cat district) where the disease first occurred is now under control. The two districts experienced 15 days without new LSD outbreaks.

According to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Binh Dinh province, currently the number of cattle infected with LSD is lower than prior period. However, the disease is now occurring severe symptoms, mainly in calves and old cows and buffaloes in extreme hot condition, so cattle deaths are still recorded in the province.

 “We are now drastically taking prevention and control measures for LSD, especially rolling out effectively second-round LSD vaccination in 2021. However, appropriate authorities is facing some difficulties in disease prevention and control due to thin and weak grass-root veterinary network system posing an obstacle in disease surveillance and prevention,” Director of Binh Dinh’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Tran Van Phuc shared.

Also according to Phuc, in the face of LSD outbreak in a herd of about 300,000 cows, the People’s Committee of Binh Dinh province sent an official letter to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, asking for guidance on declaring an epidemic and assistance with disinfectants for LSD prevention and control.

According to the guidance of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the disease situation in Binh Dinh province is eligible for declaring Lumpy Skin Disease outbreak an epidemic. Base on that guidance, Binh Dinh’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development asked the People’s Committee of Binh Dinh province to declare LSD an epidemic in the province.

 “After declaring an epidemic, Binh Dinh’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will ask Binh Dinh Provincial People’s Committee to have policies and mechanism in order to provide financial help to farmers who are suffering from the disease so that they can recover from LSD soon.

In addition, in the coming time, we will direct the Sub-department of Animal Husbandry and Health to give advice and make suggestion so that the Department of Agriculture and Rural Department can develop and implement the project on strengthening veterinary management ability for agencies at all levels in the 2021-2030 period, according to Decision No.414/QD-TTg dated March 22, 2021 of the Prime Minister”, Director of Binh Dinh’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development ,Tran Van Phuc said.