Lumpy Skin Disease Spreads to 10 States; Govt Steps Up Vaccination Efforts

New Delhi: The Indian government has assured Parliament that states and union territories are receiving full financial support to vaccinate all cattle against major livestock diseases, including Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), and Brucellosis.

In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, outlined the vaccination strategy under the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP).

He confirmed that 100% central funding is being provided to the states for vaccinating all bovines against diseases like FMD. Additionally, all female calves aged 4 to 8 months are vaccinated against Brucellosis, and further support is extended for combating LSD, Haemorrhagic Septicaemia (HS), and Black Quarter (BQ).

Vaccines are administered according to a strict schedule:

FMD: every 180 days

Brucellosis: once for female calves aged 4–8 months

LSD, HS, BQ: annually

Since 2020, over 125 crore animals have been vaccinated against FMD, 4.77 crore against Brucellosis, and more than 30 crore against LSD, according to government data up to July 30, 2025.

Baghel also informed Parliament that Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) has been reported in 10 states this year: Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Mizoram, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. The disease causes nodules on the skin, fever, reduced milk production, swollen lymph nodes, and difficulty in movement.

Notably, Maharashtra and Gujarat are currently witnessing a resurgence of LSD. In Gujarat alone, around 300 cattle have been infected across eight districts.

LSD is primarily spread through bites from mosquitoes, ticks, and other blood-feeding insects. In the past two years, approximately 200,000 cattle have died due to LSD, and millions more have suffered a significant drop in milk output.

To support states in fighting the disease, the Centre has already released Rs. 196.61 crore in 2024–25 under the LHDCP for vaccine procurement and disease control measures.

The government continues to emphasise early vaccination and robust monitoring to control and eventually eradicate these major livestock diseases.