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Report on lumpy skin cows tomorrow

12 Jan 2021

  • Disease hits 5,000 cows in 15 districts

  By Pamodi Waravita   The interim report of the committee looking into the lumpy skin disease that has currently affected 5,000 cows in 15 districts is scheduled to be handed to State Minister D.B. Herath tomorrow (13). “The (report) would be handed over to the State Minister tomorrow,” Secretary to the State Ministry of Livestock, Farm Promotion, and Dairy and Egg-Related Industries S. Senanayake told The Morning yesterday (11). The committee, chaired by Senanayake, has been appointed to recommend both short and long-term measures to combat the virus that has been affecting cows since September 2020. “The report would look at short-term measures such as raising awareness among farmers about the disease, including on how to curb the spread of the virus by isolating infected cows and reducing their transport. Long-term measures include obtaining a vaccine to inoculate against the virus, either through importing it or identifying an efficient production method within the country,” said Senanayake.  Furthermore, a detailed report on the matter would be handed to the State Minister on 19 January. Speaking to The Morning, Department of Animal Production and Health Acting Director General R. Hettiarachchi said they have estimated that approximately 5,000 cows have been affected by the disease in over 15 districts. “The latest suspected case is from Kandy. Initially, the virus was only affecting cows in the northern districts, and we sent samples to the UK in October 2021 to correctly identify the virus as the lumpy skin disease,” said Hettiarachchi. The virus had originated in the South African region and had affected India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, China, Myanmar, and Hong Kong last year. Sri Lanka, being an island nation, was only affected from the latter part of 2020. “When a cow is infected, the animal loses its appetite and lumps break out on its skin. The virus is spread from animal to animal through flies which land on the skin of the animals,” Hettiarachchi elaborated. While there is no cure for the virus, Hettiarachchi said that they have instructed farmers to apply margosa/neem (kohomba) oil on the skin of infected cows so that flies are discouraged from spreading the disease. Another serious long-term effect of the virus includes the reduction in the reproduction ability of both male and female cows. However, Hettiarachchi said that they have not seen a large decrease in the milk production rate yet due to the disease. Meanwhile, All Island Farmers’ Federation (AIFF) National Organiser Namal Karunartne told The Morning that the cost for the farmers has significantly increased as they have to look after sick cows while experiencing a loss in income. Thus, Karunaratne requested for a virus elimination plan from the Ministry, and in addition compensation for the farmers who are affected due to the virus. When queried about plans for the provision of compensation, Secretary to the State Ministry Senanayake said that discussions regarding the matter are underway with the State Minister. The first suspected case of the virus was reported in September 2020 from Kopai, Jaffna.


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