Spread of lumpy skin disease under control, claims agri ministry

KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Dr Bedu Ram Bhusal, has claimed that lumpy skin disease has been brought under control.

Speaking at a press conference at the ministry on Sunday, Dr Bhusal stated that the impact of lumpy skin disease is gradually diminishing. “The government has made all possible efforts for the treatment and prevention of lumpy skin disease,” Dr. Bhusal said, adding that vaccines were imported from as far as Jordan, Tanzania, and Turkey to contain the spread of the disease.

According to the ministry, out of 1.39 million doses of vaccines imported, 919,416 doses have been administered across the country. Likewise, out of 1.52 million cattle that were infected, 1.39 million have already recovered, with more than 73,600 cattle still infected.

The disease claimed the lives of 52,548 cattle across the country.

“We have drafted guidelines for the distribution of compensation to farmers who suffered significant losses due to cattle deaths and forwarded the same to the ministries of home and finance. A decision on compensation distribution is likely very soon,” he added.