Leribe, Dec. 15 — District Veterinary Officer Leribe has urged farmers to consult Agriculture Resource Officers and his office for reporting of Lumpy Skin Disease identified in cattles.
Explaining to the Agency in an interview on Monday, Dr. Owen Kakono said due to the hot season the disease has been detected in the Republic of South Africa and it being a transmittable deadly disease, Lesotho farmers have to vaccinate their cattle against it.
He said so far farmers from Ts’ifalimali, Lisemeng, Peka and Matlakeng have reported to his office the same symptoms in their livestock.
Dr. Kakono highlighted that reported cases will help his office to seek money from the central government as it will help them see the seriousness of the disease.
In addition, he said it is easily transmitted by biting insects such as flies and mosquitoes from one cattle to another.
Referring to trade, he said the reason for the call out is that lumpy skin disease leads to major economic loss, significant losses due to decreased milk production and reduced fertility.
“It does not affect humans,” he stated.
The District Veterinary Officer said the symptoms of Lumpy Skin Disease include fever, painful skin nodules, swollen lymph nodes and potentially severe illness or death.
Control of Lumpy Skin Disease involves vaccination, insect control, movement restriction and culling.
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