Lumpy skin disease workshop for local farmers

**Raymond Jaravaza, Zimpapers Reporter **

LOCAL farmers will have an opportunity to share notes and get expert advice from farming industry professionals on lumpy skin disease, an ailment caused by a virus and affects cattle.

According to the Department of Veterinary Services, the disease is characterised by the sudden appearance of firm swellings of the skin and underlying tissue on all parts of the body

Lumpy skin disease is seen throughout the country and usually occurs during the rainy season.

Cattle of all ages are susceptible. During an outbreak many animals may be affected at the same time and spread of the disease to neighbouring farms may be rapid.

The event will be held at a farm run by the Pilossof Brothers on the outskirts of Bulawayo on Saturday.

Mr Kundai Chakamanga, a representative of Chems Africa, the company that organised the event, said as Zimbabwe positions itself to strengthen the national herd, farmers must fight to reduce the number of cattle killed by lumpy skin disease.

“Zimbabwe’s livestock farmers are facing renewed pressure from lumpy skin disease (LSD), a viral cattle disease capable of causing significant production losses at a time when the country is working to rebuild and commercialise its national herd.

“Against this backdrop, Zimbabwean agricultural and animal-health company Chems Africa preparing to expand its animal-health offering with the planned launch of a lumpy skin disease (LSD) vaccine manufactured by Kemin. The launch will be held at the Pilossof’s Ruvale Brahmans Farm,” said Mr Chakamanga.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development Honourable Davis Marapira will be the guest of honour.

“Livestock conditions in the country are generally expected to remain favourable, but that the prevalence of diseases including January disease, lumpy skin disease and foot-and-mouth disease in some areas could potentially reduce income from livestock sales,” he said.

Mr Chakamanga said lumpy skin disease is caused by a capripoxvirus and is primarily transmitted by biting insects.

“The disease is characterised by fever, enlarged lymph nodes and distinctive firm skin nodules. In serious cases, cattle can experience emaciation, oedema, secondary infections and other complications.

The economic consequences can extend beyond mortality. Sick cattle may lose body condition, dairy animals can experience reductions in milk production, and reproductive performance can also be affected,” he said.