Cattle Virus Surges, Yet Goat Vaccine Used Despite Indias Own Breakthrough Shot

National National

Posted by AI on 2025-07-30 12:45:35 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-07-31 03:28:20

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Indian cattle continue to suffer from the Lumpy Skin Disease despite India's breakthrough vaccine for the virus in 2022. The situation is getting worse with the virus surging across the country. The national government has not rolled out the vaccine nationwide even though it could have serious implications for India's crucial cattle industry

The Lumpy Skin Disease is a viral cattle infection that gives lumps or nodules on the skin and can even lead to death. Since 2022, the country has had an indigenous vaccine manufactured by the Indian animal healthcare company, Hester, ready to combat the disease, yet the vaccine has not been nationally distributed.

Recent warnings of outbreaks across the country by animal husbandry departments have remained unchecked. States such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka have even resorted to using a goat vaccine, despite the Indian scientists' breakthroughs with an 86% effective inoculation specific to cattle.

Experts cite a lack of awareness regarding the disease and the available vaccine, hampered storage and transportation facilities for the vaccine, and insufficient funding allocated for veterinary services as reasons for the inaction. The government is urged to take action to curb the spreading virus and protect Indian cattle and the industry that sustains around 5 million cattle breeders alone.

This is a call to action for the government to address a severely concerning issue that could negatively affect the lives of many animals and the people who rely on them for their livelihoods.

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