Ashraful Islam Joy back from Kazipur:

Concern is growing among the cattle farmers in several villages of six unions in Kazipur upazila of Sirajganj district due to massive outbreak of lumpy skin disease (LSD) that killing their cattle one after another.
The farmers complained that, they are not getting necessary treatment as well as suggestion from concerned Livestock officials. As a result, they are facing immense trouble over their affected cattle.
Farmers said, at least 20 cattle died in the last few days and hundreds others have been infected with the highly contagious viral disease known as lumpy skin disease (LSD) in the area.
The disease has massively spread out among the cattle in Char Tekani, Char Girish, Natuarpara, Khasrajbari, Nischintapur and Monsurnagor unions.
Farmers said, the affected cows have stopped consuming foods or grass and drink anything. This is why; farmers are being deprived of getting milk.
Chronic debility, poor growth, infertility, abortion and even death are significant among other symptoms of the disease, they added.
But, farmers in the area are not getting vaccines as per their need. They fear that their cattle might stop reproducing in near future, if enough vaccines are not supplied by the concerned authorities of the Livestock office.
Livestock officals said, affected cow gets fever and then lumps appear, which might spread all over the body.
At that time, the cattle loses appetite, suffers from debility and stops producing milk.
They also said, this disease specially spread from a virus of the family Poxviridae, also known as Neethling virus. Various types of insects especially mosquito carry the virus from infected animal to others.
Mazam Fakir of Panagari village in Natuarpara union said, “I reared a bull, but it died from the fatal disease making me distress.”
Like Mazam Fakir, cattle of Akalia, Anwar Mian, Aktar Mandal of the same village died from the disease recently. Besides, a good number of cattle of Palash Sheikh, Absus Salam, Nayeb Ali and Jamsher Sheikh of Takani village are fighting for survival after being affected with the disease, he informed.
Dr. Didarul Ahsan, Upazila Livestock Officer in Kazipur said, “Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) is a highly contagious viral disease that spreads from mosquitoes. But, there is no official supply of antidote. However, the vaccines are available in the markets. Farmers will have to buy it by own initiative and get their cows treated.”
Mosquito nets can be used to prevent mosquitoes from biting the cows. The affected cows should be kept separate and as a temporary measure, lemons can be fed and paracetamol can be given, if necessary, he advised.
Regarding the treatment of cows, Dr. Didarul said that, “It is somewhat difficult to reach medical services in remote areas of the char region. However, efforts are being made to provide emergency services from the Upazila Livestock Office. We have nothing to do out of it.”