Gujarat detects 355 LSD cases early through milk testing

Gujarat is grappling with a fresh outbreak of lumpy skin disease (LSD), with 355 confirmed cases and eight cattle deaths reported across 11 districts as of Monday, raising alarm among farmers and veterinary authorities. This marks the second major outbreak in three years; the 2022 surge had killed nearly 1,500 livestock, mainly in north Gujarat.

Officials from the state animal husbandry department said early detection this time was triggered by enhanced ground surveillance, particularly through testing of milk samples at the source for viral and bacterial contamination. “Milk-based disease surveillance acted as a critical early warning system,” said a department official, adding that initial cases were uncovered during routine milk testing in parts of Saurashtra.

Dr Falguni Thakar, director of the state’s animal husbandry department, said the situation, though serious, appears less severe than in 2022. “The current strain shows low virulence and infectivity. Most fatalities have been among sub-adult animals that were not vaccinated due to age limitations,” she said. Over 6.29 lakh cattle have been vaccinated statewide, with vaccinated animals showing minimal infections, Thakar noted, urging livestock owners to ensure timely vaccination of all animals to check further spread.

The outbreak has also highlighted the state’s One Health efforts — an integrated approach that links human, animal and environmental health monitoring. Gujarat is already using wastewater surveillance to detect early signs of Covid-19 in Ahmedabad, and officials say similar monitoring of milk is proving effective in identifying livestock diseases such as LSD.

 

Government sources said genetic sequencing of virus samples is underway to ascertain whether the current strain is similar to the one seen in 2022. With concerns mounting over the recurrent nature of livestock diseases and their economic costs, authorities emphasised that sustained vigilance, consistent vaccination and rapid response mechanisms are key to averting a large-scale crisis.