Successful control of lumpy skin disease

Ms. Le Thi Huong, Phu Dong residential group, Hai Linh ward, Nghi Son town (Thanh Hoa) said, skin lumps appeared on her family's cow on February 3. Seeing that the cow was not eating and her skin was lumpy, she immediately reported to the head of the neighborhood. Shortly thereafter, the local authorities and the veterinary sector took measures to prevent the epidemic.

Also on February 3, ward officers and veterinary staff came to take samples, then concluded that the cow was infected with lumpy skin disease (LSD). The cow has now been cured and is doing well, but new lumps still appear from time to time.

Right after the cow showed strange symptoms, Ms. Huong spread lime powder in the barn, on the entrance to the house and in the garden. Not only Huong's family, other households in the neighborhood also take measures to prevent LSD.

Mr. Tran Le Hanh, the head of Phu Dong neighborhood, said that being informed about the danger of LSD, the households in the neighborhood were very worried and immediately took measures to prevent the disease. However, due to many objective factors, the disease has spread to some neighboring households.

The chairman of Hai Linh ward said that immediately after being informed about the strange symptoms on the cattle herd, the officers and veterinarian staff of the neighborhoods, wards, the town veterinarian came to collect information on herd and conduct epidemiological investigation. By February 4, the investigation and collection of information on the total herd and disease progression was completed.

On February 8, after the People's Committee of Nghi Son town announced the epidemic of LSD on cattle, prevention measures were implemented more drastically.

Urgent vaccination for lumpy skin disease

Hai Linh ward People's Committee sent 7 working teams to visit every household, encouraging them to sign commitments on epidemic prevention, grazing of cattle; buying, selling, transporting and slaughtering of cattle.

Four control posts with the participation of veterinarians, police, militia and self-defense... were set up in 3 neighborhoods of Phu Dong, Phu Thinh and Phu Tay affected by LSD to control the transportation and slaughtering of cattle, disinfect vehicles in and out of the epidemic affected areas.

By the end of February 2021, Hai Linh ward had used over 6.5 tons of lime on all the roads; over 420 liters of chemicals; 15 liters of fly repellant for epidemic prevention. Barns, village roads, alleys, and grazing grounds were sprayed and disinfected every 2 days in the villages affected; every 3 days in the villages not yet affected.

According to the People's Committee of Hai Linh ward, up to now, there are 58 buffaloes and cows infected with LSD across the ward, 49 of which have been cured from clinical symptoms but still develop lumps from time to time, 9 are in treatment and are progressing well.

By the end of February 2021, Thanh Hoa Department of Livestock and Animal Health had provided Nghi Son Town with over 2.2 thousand liters of chemicals; 3 tons of powdered lime and 30 liters of insecticide for epidemic prevention.

Provinces with LSD continue regular reporting. In the locality where epidemics have not yet appeared, the agriculture department and the agricultural service center assigns working teams to review and make statistics on the households raising livestock, the amount of buffaloes and cows in the area, and take initiative in epidemic prevention plans.

Mr. Dang Van Hiep, Director of Thanh Hoa Department of Animal Husbandry and Animal Health said that as of March 28, LSD on cattle will basically be controlled, 49/58 cattle with the disease will basically be cured from clinical symptoms.

Mr. Hiep highly appreciated the responsibility of the People's Committee of Hai Linh ward in the prevention of epidemic right before the Lunar New Year. However, LSD is a new disease and it is difficult to access vaccines. In addition, there are no longer grassroots veterinarians to detect and report about the epidemics.

According to the Resolution of the People's Council of Hai Linh ward, the lack of veterinary staff causes many difficulties for epidemic prevention. Thanh Hoa province is getting procedures done to buy 5,000 doses of vaccine for control of epidemic diseases.