Livestock skin disease spreading in Attock.

TAXILA -- The lumpy skin disease (LSD) has started spreading among livestock in various rural areas of Attock, especially Jand and Pindigheb, affecting a large number of animals especially cows and buffaloes.

The LSD, which had earlier spread in Sindh and southern Punjab, is the most dangerous viral disease that leads to a halt in breeding and causes death to animals.

The farmers feared that as Eidul Azha was around the corner the infected animals would not be sold out, causing financial losses to them.

They claimed that as the Livestock Department had failed to vaccinate the infected cattle, they were forced to purchase the same from the market which cost them Rs8,500 per vaccine.

The residents of Jand said the fatal disease was fast spreading in cattle but the authorities were least bothered to take proper steps for vaccination. They said some officials visited the area and took blood samples of the affected animals and administered vaccination to them but there were no proper arrangements to control the disease.

They appealed to the authorities concerned to initiate vaccination of their cattle against the disease or else it would spread to the entire district due to the massive transportation of livestock for the upcoming Eid.

The cattle growers and farmers have also asked the...