Lumpy skin outbreak in Omaheke
Cattle movement at Eiseb in the Omaheke Region is prohibited until further notice because of an outbreak of lumpy skin disease.
ELLANIE SMIT
WINDHOEK
An outbreak of lumpy skin disease has been reported at the Eiseb settlement in the Otjombinde Constituency of the Omaheke Region.
According to the chief veterinary officer in the agriculture ministry, Albertina Shilongo, the disease was first detected at Otjiuapehuri village on 12 February.
So far 32 cattle from 10 homesteads have been affected.
Lumpy skin disease is a viral infection of cattle characterised by the appearance of nodules on the skin. The disease is transmitted by bloodsucking insects such as mosquitoes and biting flies. That is why the disease commonly occurs in the wet season or around water points.
“Lumpy skin disease is a notifiable disease by law and of economic importance,” said Shilongo.
Farmers could either vaccinate uninfected cattle for prevention, or treat sick cattle symptomatically with painkillers and antibiotics to help their lungs. Once infected, a cow can start displaying symptoms of the disease after four to 14 days.
Although there is no evidence that lumpy skin disease can be transmitted to humans, it is advised that people do not eat the meat of sick cattle.
In line with the provisions of the Animal Health Act, several control measures have been instated with immediate effect, said Shilongo.
Cattle movement and gatherings at Eiseb have been suspended until further notice.
Controlled movement of cattle from and into Eiseb will be allowed, provided that proof of vaccination is presented to the Epukiro state veterinarian.
Farmers in the Eiseb area are urged to vaccinate all cattle older than six months against the disease and to control biting insects.
Farmers should also report all suspected cases of the disease to the local veterinary office.
“For cattle showing clinical signs, farmers are advised to administer sulphonamides and antibiotics to control secondary bacterial infection and provide good nursing care,” said Shilongo.
According to her these disease control measures will be reviewed once the extent of the outbreak is determined.
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 sometime get infected and can become wounds. The lumps later on 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.
WINDHOEK
An outbreak of lumpy skin disease has been reported at the Eiseb settlement in the Otjombinde Constituency of the Omaheke Region.
According to the chief veterinary officer in the agriculture ministry, Albertina Shilongo, the disease was first detected at Otjiuapehuri village on 12 February.
So far 32 cattle from 10 homesteads have been affected.
Lumpy skin disease is a viral infection of cattle characterised by the appearance of nodules on the skin. The disease is transmitted by bloodsucking insects such as mosquitoes and biting flies. That is why the disease commonly occurs in the wet season or around water points.
“Lumpy skin disease is a notifiable disease by law and of economic importance,” said Shilongo.
Farmers could either vaccinate uninfected cattle for prevention, or treat sick cattle symptomatically with painkillers and antibiotics to help their lungs. Once infected, a cow can start displaying symptoms of the disease after four to 14 days.
Although there is no evidence that lumpy skin disease can be transmitted to humans, it is advised that people do not eat the meat of sick cattle.
In line with the provisions of the Animal Health Act, several control measures have been instated with immediate effect, said Shilongo.
Cattle movement and gatherings at Eiseb have been suspended until further notice.
Controlled movement of cattle from and into Eiseb will be allowed, provided that proof of vaccination is presented to the Epukiro state veterinarian.
Farmers in the Eiseb area are urged to vaccinate all cattle older than six months against the disease and to control biting insects.
Farmers should also report all suspected cases of the disease to the local veterinary office.
“For cattle showing clinical signs, farmers are advised to administer sulphonamides and antibiotics to control secondary bacterial infection and provide good nursing care,” said Shilongo.
According to her these disease control measures will be reviewed once the extent of the outbreak is determined.
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 sometime get infected and can become wounds. The lumps later on 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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