JAMMU, OCTOBER 14: Dr Sudam Bagh, Deputy Commissioner (Livestock Health), Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries Government of India, accompanied by Dr Sandeep Pandita, Technical Assistant, M.S. Institute of Animal Health and Biological Production, R.S. Pura, Jammu, (Liaison Officer), today undertook an extensive field visit to the Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD)-affected districts of Samba, Kathua and Jammu and assessed the prevailing situation.
Dr Bagh inspected several LSD-affected villages and assessed the ground situation including the challenges faced by livestock farmers and the measures being undertaken to contain the disease.
As part of the outreach initiative, mineral mixture, wound-dressing materials and disinfectants were distributed among livestock farmers. He also held interactions with officers from the Animal Husbandry Department and participated in awareness and sensitisation programmes to educate farmers about disease prevention, biosecurity measures, hygiene and appropriate livestock management practices.
As part of the disease surveillance and diagnostic exercise, teams from DDR&P, led by Dr Abhimanyu Chauhan, Lab Officer, Talab Tillo, collected samples from LSD-affected cattle in Samba and Kathua districts.
Similarly, a team from the District Investigation Office (DIO), Jammu, led by Dr Ravinder Singh Thakur, Lab Officer, collected samples from affected cattle in Jammu district. These sample-collection activities were undertaken to facilitate laboratory investigation and support the assessment of the disease situation.
Livestock Development Officer R.S. Pura Dr Muddassir Nazar also accompanied the visiting officer during the field tour of Jammu district.
Furthermore, a meeting with officers of Jammu district was convened at the Directorate of Animal Husbandry.
The meeting provided an opportunity to review the prevailing LSD situation, discuss field-level interventions and emphasise the importance of coordinated efforts, effective disease surveillance, timely reporting and sustained farmer awareness to strengthen disease-control measures.
The visit underscored the importance of close coordination between the Central Government and the Animal Husbandry Department of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir in addressing the LSD outbreak and safeguarding livestock health and the livelihoods of livestock farmers.
