JAMMU: A central government team on Wednesday assessed the lumpy skin disease (LSD) situation in Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts of Jammu and Kashmir, inspecting affected villages, interacting with livestock farmers and reviewing measures being taken to contain the disease.
Dr Sudam Bagh, Deputy Commissioner (Livestock Health) in the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, led the visit. He was accompanied by Dr Sandeep Pandita, Technical Assistant at the M.S. Institute of Animal Health and Biological Production, R.S. Pura, who served as the liaison officer.
During the field visit, Dr Bagh assessed the ground situation, including the difficulties faced by livestock farmers and the measures being implemented to control the disease. Mineral mixtures, wound-dressing materials and disinfectants were distributed among affected farmers.
He also interacted with officers of the Animal Husbandry Department and participated in awareness programmes aimed at educating farmers about disease prevention, biosecurity, hygiene and appropriate livestock management practices.
As part of disease surveillance and diagnostic efforts, teams collected samples from affected cattle in all three districts for laboratory investigation. A team from DDR&P, led by Dr Abhimanyu Chauhan, Laboratory Officer, Talab Tillo, collected samples in Samba and Kathua districts.
In Jammu district, a team from the District Investigation Office (DIO), led by Laboratory Officer Dr Ravinder Singh Thakur, collected samples from affected cattle. Livestock Development Officer, R.S. Pura, Dr Muddassir Nazar, also accompanied the visiting official during the field tour of Jammu district.
A separate meeting with officers of Jammu district was held at the Directorate of Animal Husbandry to review the disease situation and discuss interventions at the field level.
The meeting stressed coordinated efforts, effective disease surveillance, timely reporting and continued farmer awareness to strengthen containment measures.
The visit highlighted the need for coordination between the Central Government and the Jammu and Kashmir Animal Husbandry Department to address the outbreak, protect livestock health and safeguard the livelihoods of livestock farmers.
