Islamabad, 10 March 2022 (TDI): The Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam directed the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRA) to allow the import of vaccines to help combat the prevailing Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in cattle. Fakhar Imam did so while he was chairing a meeting in Islamabad.
Purpose & Features of Meeting
The meeting was called in light of the prevalent spread of disease in cattle. The livestock in Pakistan is currently adversely affected by an infection. To be more precise the infection is called the Lumpy Skin Disease.
To find the solution to the crisis a detailed discussion was held. In the meeting, Minister for National Food Security and Research Fakhar Imam stressed :
- adoption of a proactive approach to control the disease
- ensuring relief to farmers
- need of importing vaccines to fight the disease
What is LSD?
LSD stands for Lumpy Skin Disease. It is a viral disease caused by the virus Capripox. The disease affects, not only cattle, buffaloes but also some wild animals. One way that it is transferred, from one animal to another, is by biting insects.
Mosquitoes, ticks, and tsetse flies are mainly and precisely the source of the spread of this disease under this model. Contaminated feed and water also contribute to the spread of this illness. Not only that but using infected syringes or needles are also a major contributor.
The infected animals’ life span is reduced, milk production is reduced, fertility is reduced, chances of abortion increase, and hides or the skin is severely affected. All of these lead to massive economic losses.
Attendees of Meeting
Minister for Livestock Sindh Abdul Bari, Secretary Livestock of Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan, and Animal Husbandry Commissioner Muhammad Akram also attended the meeting.
It is pertinent to mention over here that the Ministry of National Food Security and Research made a special task force to specifically work on this crisis. This is a developing story.
