Farmers are wrestling with a rare double whammy: a lethal condition called lumpy skin disease in their cows & a drawdown in market-ready cattle stock after Covid slowed breeding.
Speaking at International Science Festival in Bhopal, Krishna Ella said iNCOVACC will be launched by 26 Jan and a vaccine for lumpy skin disease, too, will be launched next month.
Free movement of unproductive cattle prone to infections has proven to be a severe challenge in restricting the viral disease and contributed most to mortality load, say experts.
There have been outbreaks of lumpy skin disease in India before, but none as widespread or as deadly as this year's. Experts say it’s the result of a perfect storm.
Control room set up in govt-run veterinary hospital fields calls from gram panchayats about suspected cases and requests for treatment, while rapid response team works on ground.
Anand, home to Amul, India’s largest dairy cooperative, reported 1,507 cases since April 1 cases. Amul officials say farmers there have been taught how to take care of their cattle.
R.S. Sodhi says while infection may lessen milk production by cattle, impact lasts only a few days. Initial impact of outbreak offset by monsoon, he tells ThePrint in an interview.
Lumpi-ProVac, a vaccine developed by 2 Indian Council of Agricultural Research institutes, was found effective in preventing lumpy skin disease in cattle & is ready for commercial launch.
Central govt plans to commercialise vaccine — developed by 2 Indian Council of Agricultural Research institutes — to control disease that has spread to states like Gujarat, Rajasthan & Punjab.
ThePrint was first to report that S-400 system saw action first time during Operation Sindoor. Info on actual kills was then held back since IAF was still analysing inputs, it is learnt.
Standing up to America is usually not a personal risk for a leader in India. Any suggestions of foreign pressure unites India behind who they see as leading them in that fight.
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