Hyderabad: Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) has been detected in cattle across ten Indian states this year, with active cases now confined to Maharashtra, the Centre told Parliament. Gujarat is also experiencing a resurgence, with 300 cattle reported infected across eight districts.
In a written statement to the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, confirmed the disease has appeared in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, and Mizoram as of July 24.
Baghel highlighted that over 28 crore cattle have been vaccinated against lumpy skin disease (LSD) since 2022. Uttar Pradesh leads the way with 4.6 crore doses, trailed by Maharashtra at 4.13 crore and Madhya Pradesh at 3 crore.
The viral infection spreads mainly through bites from mosquitoes, ticks, and other insects. It causes fever, painful skin nodules, swollen lymph nodes, drop in milk output, and movement issues.
Around two lakh cattle have died from LSD over the past two years. Millions more have suffered production losses.
Financial support is extended to states under the Assistance to States for Control of Animal Diseases (ASCAD), part of the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme. ₹196.61 crore has been released to states and union territories so far in 2024–25 for vaccination and containment work.
