LAHORE— Fearing the spread of the deadly Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) from Sindh, the Punjab Livestock Department has stepped up vaccination campaigns to protect animals across the province.
LSD is a fast-spreading viral disease that mainly affects cattle and buffaloes. It causes severe illness and can be fatal if not controlled.
Haider Ali Khan, Director of the Punjab Livestock Department, said that whenever the disease is detected in any district, teams immediately begin “ring vaccination” to contain the outbreak. “Right now, the incidence of LSD in Punjab is below 1 percent, but we are not taking any chances,” he said.
Khan added that Punjab has a sufficient stock of vaccines, and the Veterinary Research Institute (VRI) in Lahore has developed a vaccine that has proven highly effective.
Technology Helps Farmers Fight Back
The Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) has created an Android app called “Animal Disease Intimation by Farmer.” This tool allows farmers to report cases directly to the department for quick action. “This app has been a great help in responding to animal diseases on time,” Khan said.
He also explained that mosquitoes, ticks, and houseflies are the main carriers of LSD. Farmers can lower the risks by targeting these insects. The department has also launched anti-tick spraying drives in livestock markets and at inter-provincial check posts to stop the spread.
A Disease With a Long History
Experts say LSD was first reported in Zambia in 1929. It appeared in Pakistan in November 2021 and caused massive damage in 2022. In Punjab alone, more than 62,000 animals were infected, and nearly 4,700 cattle died. The losses to dairy farmers were devastating.
Dr. Wasi Muhammad Khan, a livestock expert and member of the Punjab Agriculture Research Board (PARB), warned that LSD continues to threaten animals in both Punjab and Sindh. “For the past four years, this disease has badly hurt the livestock sector, and a permanent solution is urgently needed,” he said.
He explained that LSD reduces milk production, harms cattle hides, and creates major economic losses. To control the disease, Dr. Khan urged Pakistan to seek help from global organizations.
“The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) supported Pakistan in fighting Foot and Mouth Disease. They can provide both financial and technical assistance to control LSD as well,” he noted.
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