Animal experts point out that the lumpy disease causes massive financial losses for livestock owners because treating it involves substantial expenses. In many cases, the chances of the livestock surviving remain low, making it crucial for farmers to know the right ways to protect their animals from this fatal illness.
Expert Advice from Krishi Vigyan Kendra
Speaking about preventive measures, Dr. Dinesh Mahato, an animal expert at Krishi Vigyan Kendra located in Gandhar, Jehanabad, shared a practical home remedy to tackle the lumpy disease. He noted that the ingredients required for this remedy are easily available around houses.
Symptoms and Transmission of Lumpy Disease
Dr. Dinesh Mahato stated that lumpy disease is a severe and fatal ailment that mostly affects cows. Explaining its symptoms, he mentioned that small blisters appear all over the body of the affected animal. When flies sit on these sores, they can burst, thereby increasing the risk of the infection spreading from one animal to another and potentially sickening multiple cattle simultaneously.
Sanitation and Spraying in Dairy Farms
To prevent the outbreak, dairy owners must continuously spray lime around their farms. Regular cleaning using phenyl is also recommended, along with the continuous application of bleaching powder to maintain a hygienic environment.
Preparation of the Home Remedy
Dr. Mahato further explained that a mixture of neem leaves, tamarind, turmeric, and alum can be prepared to combat lumpy disease. To make this, all these items should be boiled together in water for a short while. Once the water cools down completely, it should be used to wash the body of the sick animal. Additionally, feeding this concoction to the cattle is also recommended. According to the expert, following this procedure reduces the risk of flies sitting on the animal and significantly cuts down the chances of the infection spreading further using readily available local items.
