Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam chaired a high-powered meeting to curb the spread of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) amongst cattle and buffaloes in Pakistan. The meeting was also attended by Minister for Livestock Sindh Mr. Abdul Bari and secretary livestock of Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan and the animal husbandry commissioner Mr. Muhammad Akram.
Fakhar Imam said that it is pertinent that the impact of the decisions taken by this forum to provide immediate relief to the farmers. He said that there should be regular feedback provided by the provinces to ensure that proactive measures are being taken.
Fakhar Imam said that on immediate basis DRAP should allow import of vaccine to curb the spread of LSD. Mr. Abdul Bari appreciated the efforts of Fakhar Imam in ensuring speedy relief to the farmers. He said that Sindh has started an awareness campaign to dispel false rumours about the LSD disease. He said a taskforce has been made to control the spread of the disease.
Representative from Punjab briefed the minister that they have approximately 2.5 lakh goat pox vaccine which can be used as an alternate to the LSD vaccine. He said that production of goat pox vaccine has been increased by Punjab to meet the demand of Sindh and other provinces as well. Fakhar Imam was briefed that hot spot of vaccine spread areas are being cordoned off to control the spread. Fakhar was told that 7500 personnel are trained to administer the vaccine to the animals in Punjab.
Fakhar Imam was briefed that the Ministry of National Food Security & Research, Government of Pakistan has confirmed the presence of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in Bahawalpur, Karachi, Jamshoro, Hyderabad, and Thatta. LSD only affects cattle. This disease is caused by a virus which spreads through bites of mosquitoes, tse tse flies, and ticks. LSD has no public health implications because it is not transferred to humans. Boiled milk and well-cooked meat from the affected cattle are safe for human consumption.
In order to control the disease and to prevent its spread from one place to another, Animal Husbandry Commissioner has issued guidelines to the provinces which, inter alia, include information for the awareness of farmers and professionals. The sheep/goat pox vaccine, which is already available in the country, is effective against the LSD virus. But the government is making urgent arrangements to import LSD vaccines.
Fakhar Imam was briefed by the Animal Husbandry Commissioner Dr. Muhammad Akram that 500,000 vaccines are to be imported to tackle the spread of LSD. Minister was briefed that this disease only affects cattle and buffaloes and certain wild animals, which has been confirmed for the first time in Pakistan through clinical and laboratory diagnosis. Lumpy Skin disease (LSD) is a viral disease of cattle, buffaloes and certain wild animals causing economic losses due to loss of condition, decreased milk production, abortions, infertility, and damaged hides. The causative virus is spreading mainly by vectors such as tsetse flies, mosquitoes and ticks. Dr. Akram said that it is widespread epidemic across many countries of Asia, Africa and Europe. Disease can however be successfully controlled by vaccination.
Minister said that PM Imran Khan is the only leader who has looked at the bigger picture and plans for the next 10-20 years and keeping that in view we must strategize for the future of the sector. Fakhar Imam praised the current governments efforts. He said that this is the first time in Pakistan that top most priority is being given to the livestock sector to support the farmers of Pakistan.
[6:43 PM, 3/9/2022] PRO PID Rana Mujtaba Yousaf: (Islamabad): Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam chaired a high-powered meeting to curb the spread of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) amongst cattle and buffaloes in Pakistan. The meeting was also attended by Minister for Livestock Sindh Mr. Abdul Bari and secretary livestock of Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan and the animal husbandry commissioner Mr. Muhammad Akram.
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