More than 60 cows and buffaloes in Savannakhet Province have died from Lumpy skin disease with the cumulative number of cows and buffaloes infected with the disease reaching 4,700.

Of the number, over 2,500 cows and buffaloes have been treated, according to the Director of the Savannaket Provincial Department of Livestock and Fisheries, Mrs Olavanh Samatmanivong who also said that the outbreak of the lumpy skin disease was traced back to early March and had been spreading to 190 villages in 14 districts across the southern province.

The Savannakhet Provincial Department of Agriculture and Forestry has issued a notice banning the movement of cattle and buffaloes for a month from this June.

Lumpy Skin Disease is a virus affecting the health of bovine animals but is not transmissible to humans. Animals can become infected through direct contact, such as through feed or contact with other animals. The disease is also believed to be spread via blood-feeding insects such as flies and mosquitoes.

The virus was first reported in Laos in April 2021, with the government exploring options for the provision of vaccines.

Source: Lao News Agency