Experts rebuff death reports over consuming meat of lumpy skin infected animal.

PESHAWAR -- Reports circulating in press and social media claiming death of two persons of same family in Kafoor Dairi area of Peshawar due to consuming meat of a lumpy skin infected animal was rebuffed by experts on zoonotic diseases and officials of Livestock and Dairy Development Department.

A news report appeared in press on Tuesday quoting Chairman Mathra Tehsil, Faridullah with claim that two persons of a family died after eating an infected animal which they brought from Punjab. Other members of the family are in hospital due to illness.

The press report was followed by circulation of a voice message on social media, warning people about impacts of lumpy skin disease on humans health.

The press report and voice message caused confusion and fear among people who have to purchase sacrificial animals for the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha.

Meanwhile, officials of Livestock and Dairy Department KP and expert on Zoonotic diseases have differed these reports and urged Health Department to hold probe into the incident to find out real causes of death and illness among the family members from Kafoor Dehri.

'Lumpy Skin disease of livestock is not zoonotic and there is no example around the globe regarding contraction of infection to humans from animals,' claims Dr. Asad Ali Shah, Epidemiologist Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Livestock and Dairy Development Department.

Through out its history in the world till appearance of first case of lumpy skin disease in 1929 at Zambia, there is no example of transmission of infection among humans and on basis of scientific research, this claim is incorrect, opined Dr. Asad.

Talking to reporter, Dr. Asad said lumpy skin disease has been reported in Pakistan for the first time and its severity was observed in Sindh province, but no case of infection and mortality among humans is reported in the province.

"In Karachi more than 50,000 cases of lumpy skin is reported while in KP the total number of cases is 5137, affecting 24 districts out of 34," Asad informed reporter.

The number of mortality among animals in KP is 95 while 1291 have recovered and 3750 are in process of recovery.

"Lumpy skin is a viral diseases that spreads from animal to animal through close contact and through bite of vectors including mosquitoes, ticks and parasites while it cannot be transmitted to humans," Dr. Asad reiterated.

Dr. Asad added"Meat and milk of affected animal can not transmit virus to human through its consumption."

He stressed upon Health...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT