AL-AHSA: An outbreak of lumpy skin disease (LSD) has been discovered in cattle in Al-Ahsa which is an area with many cows. All necessary measures have been taken to protect the livestock, said Mahmoud Al-Shuaibi of the Agriculture Department in Al-Ahsa.

“Al-Ahsa Agriculture Department, with the cooperation of the municipality and police forces, has prepared field teams under the supervision of Nabil Al-Muslim, livestock chairman, to control the spread of LSD,” said Al-Shuaibi.

“The teams include detection and immunization, disposal, pest control, along with awareness and education represented by veterinary guidance. About 33,890 cattle have been examined and 30,384 immunized. The number of destroyed animals is 2,432,” he said.

Al-Shuaibi said that the Ministry of Agriculture had banned the sale of cattle in the markets. He confirmed that compensation had been paid to all owners of the destroyed cows by a committee designed for this purpose with members from several government agencies.

LSD poses no threat to humans. It can cause fever and nodules of varying size on the skin, mucous membranes and internal organs, along with chronic weakness and skin lesions.

Biting insects spread the disease and vaccines are available, but there is no specific treatment for infected animals. The disease is currently endemic in most African countries where it was first identified in Zambia in 1929 and then spread north.