The spread of lumpy skin disease among cattle has triggered worry among cattle owners in Paro. Lumpy skin disease, a highly contagious viral disease of cattle and buffaloes has infected more than 300 cattle and led to over 15 deaths. Meanwhile, misinformation about the disease affecting humans has made some people wary of milking cows and consuming milk. According to veterinary officials, the disease does not affect humans.
Misleading and viral posts on social media platforms claiming that humans can contract the disease by coming into contact with the infected cattle have caused concerns among people in the district.
With more than a hundred cattle getting infected every day since this week, nine gewogs in the district have reported cases of lumpy skin disease.
“Initially, we underestimated the situation, assuming that the appearance of skin nodules on our cattle was just a result of flies biting them during this time of the year. However, as it started spreading widely, we realised that it was a disease. We are concerned about the effects it might have on us,” said Tseku Tshering, a resident.
“We heard that this disease can be transmitted to humans. I was scared and discussed about it with the neighbours and considered informing the officials,” said Tshering Gyem, another resident.
“We heard people talking about how it is transmitted to humans. We were told that consuming meat from an infected animal could result in contracting the disease,” said Tshering Pem.
“I was told that touching the sick animals can lead to contracting the disease. According to people in the village, it initially starts with a sore throat and develops into a lump in the throat. I personally haven’t experienced these symptoms but my fellow villagers have described it in this way,” said Tshering Lham.
However, the veterinary officials said that this information is incorrect and constitutes misinformation.
They added that lumpy skin disease is not a zoonotic disease, which means it is not transmissible from animals to humans.
“People holding such beliefs are undermining our efforts to control the disease. The dissemination of untrue information causes others to follow suit. Some people even have neglected to care for the sick animals and some have refrained from milking them. It is crucial to take better care of the cattle during such times as the disease only spreads from one cattle to another,” said Dr Tenzin Wangchuk from the district veterinary hospital.
“We have implemented controlled measures in line with the guidelines. Restrictions have been placed on the movement of cattle across gewogs. Due to a shortage of manpower, we have prioritised visiting sites based on the severity of the animal’s condition. If the condition is not critical, the owners are advised to visit the district veterinary hospital,” said Thinley, assistant district livestock officer.
Lumpy skin disease infects cattle and buffalo mainly through blood-feeding insects. Signs of infection include the appearance of circular, firm nodes on the animal’s skin that looks similar to lumps.
Infected animals immediately start losing weight and may have fever and lesions in the mouth, along with a reduced milk yield. Other symptoms include nasal and salivary secretion.
Veterinary officials added that once infected, the animal usually takes between seven to fourteen days to recover.
While the virus does not spread to humans, veterinary officials said it’s safer to boil the milk produced by an infected animal for human consumption.
With no cure available at present, the only suggestion the veterinary officials have is to isolate sick cattle from the healthy ones. However, a vaccination to prevent the disease is available.
And currently, officials are going around the district vaccinating sick cattle to improve their immune systems and create awareness about the disease.
Lumpy Skin Disease was first reported from Naja Gewog some two months ago in Paro. The disease has been reported in other parts of the country except for Bumthang, Trashi Yangtse and Gasa.
Namgay Wangchuk, Paro
Edited by Sonam Pem
