Berea, Jan 09—Amid the increased rainfall in some parts of the country, the Department of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition in Berea through its Teyateyaneng Resource Centre has urged livestock farmers to regularly monitor their cows against diseases such as Lumpy skin.
Teyateyaneng Resource Centre, Department of Livestock Area Technical Officer Ms. Itumeleng Lekhafola Masupha said this during an interview with the Agency on Friday following the 36 reported suspected cases from about 16 farmers at Ha-Phoofolo.
Ms. Masupha said recently the country is receiving a lot of rains of which are good, but threat on other sectors of production such as livestock keeping as they create swampy areas which provide a breeding place for mosquitoes and biting flies that can easily transmit some diseases such as Lumpy skin disease.
“Lumpy skin disease is dangerous because it can spread fast, affect a large flock and may bring a loss to the affected farmers”, she warned.
She pointed out that lumpy skin disease is a contagious vector borne viral disease which can kill cattle if not identified on time and among the symptoms it may present include, inactive, shaky, and they reject water and food.
Teyateyaneng Resource Centre Officer further said such viral diseases are not curable, but the most important issue is prevention through vaccines as one of the control measures, particularly during winter season as part of helping the cows to build immunity through the vaccines.
Mrs.Lekhafola Masupha added that lumpy skin disease was not common in the past, but lately is becoming a major threat as a result of climate change.
She reiterated that farmers have to be vigilant as the country range lands are communal assets shared by many farmers.
Ms. Masupha said in case the farmer may spot an affected cow in his flock, the best option is to isolate it from other cows as they wait for any possible cure depending on its health situation.
Meanwhile, Teyateyaneng Resource Centre among the villages which have reported the lumpy skin includes Cana, Ha-Phoofolo and the matter has been referred to the district veterinary for further actions.
According to the World Organization for Animal Health statement, Lumpy skin disease is a highly contagious vector borne viral disease that primarily affects cattle, water buffaloes and certain wild ruminants, further highlighting that its impact on animal health and welfare, it can cause significant economic losses for farmers due to reduced milk production, weight loss and reproductive impairment.
However, it further stated that disease is not zoonotic and therefore does not pose a threat to human health neither by direct contact with the infected animals.
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