Lumpy skin outbreak in Oshikoto Region
An outbreak of lumpy skin disease has been confirmed by the agriculture ministry in the Nehale LyaMpingana Constituency of the Oshikoto region.
According to the acting chief veterinary officer Dr Johannes Shoopala, the outbreak was first reported and detected on 12 and 13 November in one of the farming units in the Onalusheshete area falling under the Omuthiya State Veterinary Office.
He said that subsequently other cases were also detected in the surrounding area.
Shoopala said that so far, 24 clinical cases have been reported at three crush pens namely, Edhilankono no 1, Kanepolo Post and Petenena Post, while eight cattle with clinical signs have died.
He said that lumpy skin disease is a vector-borne and occasionally fatal viral disease in cattle characterised by nodules or lumps on the skin and other parts of the body, and is normally transmitted by insect bites.
“Farmers are advised to vaccinate their healthy cattle to control vectors/insects. Supportive treatment may be given to cattle showing clinical signs by administering vitamins, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs to control secondary bacterial infections, as prescribed by state veterinarians.”
Shoopala said to stop the spread of the disease and to ensure the marketing of cattle in the area in line with the Animal Health Act, the directorate has instituted various control measures.
“Cattle movement from affected farming units or villages are allowed on condition that they do not show clinical signs of the disease and are vaccinated at least 21 days before such a movement if affected.”
Furthermore, cattle moving into the affected farming units or villages must be vaccinated at least 21 days before such movement,
“The above measures exclude clinically healthy animals destined for direct slaughter.”
Shoopala said that the directorate asks for the full cooperation of farmers to ensure that farming in the affected areas gets back to normal in the shortest possible time.
Farmers can easily spot the disease by the obvious lumps that appear under the skin, especially around the face, neck, under the abdomen, on the legs or around the genital area and udder.
The lumps are hard and are normally of the same size. Many of the lumps become sores and sometimes get infected and can become wounds. Later on, the lumps form scabs which may persist for months and leave scars when healthy.
Another prominent sign that occurs is a high fever, which can go down in a couple of days but can go up again. This is followed by drooling and discharges from the eyes and nose. The cattle become weak and stop eating, resulting in rapid weight loss.
According to the acting chief veterinary officer Dr Johannes Shoopala, the outbreak was first reported and detected on 12 and 13 November in one of the farming units in the Onalusheshete area falling under the Omuthiya State Veterinary Office.
He said that subsequently other cases were also detected in the surrounding area.
Shoopala said that so far, 24 clinical cases have been reported at three crush pens namely, Edhilankono no 1, Kanepolo Post and Petenena Post, while eight cattle with clinical signs have died.
He said that lumpy skin disease is a vector-borne and occasionally fatal viral disease in cattle characterised by nodules or lumps on the skin and other parts of the body, and is normally transmitted by insect bites.
“Farmers are advised to vaccinate their healthy cattle to control vectors/insects. Supportive treatment may be given to cattle showing clinical signs by administering vitamins, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs to control secondary bacterial infections, as prescribed by state veterinarians.”
Shoopala said to stop the spread of the disease and to ensure the marketing of cattle in the area in line with the Animal Health Act, the directorate has instituted various control measures.
“Cattle movement from affected farming units or villages are allowed on condition that they do not show clinical signs of the disease and are vaccinated at least 21 days before such a movement if affected.”
Furthermore, cattle moving into the affected farming units or villages must be vaccinated at least 21 days before such movement,
“The above measures exclude clinically healthy animals destined for direct slaughter.”
Shoopala said that the directorate asks for the full cooperation of farmers to ensure that farming in the affected areas gets back to normal in the shortest possible time.
Farmers can easily spot the disease by the obvious lumps that appear under the skin, especially around the face, neck, under the abdomen, on the legs or around the genital area and udder.
The lumps are hard and are normally of the same size. Many of the lumps become sores and sometimes get infected and can become wounds. Later on, the lumps form scabs which may persist for months and leave scars when healthy.
Another prominent sign that occurs is a high fever, which can go down in a couple of days but can go up again. This is followed by drooling and discharges from the eyes and nose. The cattle become weak and stop eating, resulting in rapid weight loss.
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