Lumpy Skin disease in cattle : Farmers in distress in Phulbari
Mostafizar Rahman Jahangir, Phulbari (Kurigram)
An outbreak of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) has been reported in cattle across Phulbari upazila of Kurigram. Many farmers have seen their cattle infected with this disease, forcing them to spend large amounts on treatment. Yet, they are unable to escape financial loss. The number of infected and deceased cattle is increasing by the day, leaving farmers in a state of panic.
According to the Upazila Livestock Office, the total number of cattle, including those owned by farmers and smallholders, stands at 67,000 in the upazila. The outbreak has spread throughout the region. On average, four to five LSD-infected cattle are brought to the animal hospital every day. However, the Upazila Livestock Office has not yet provided specific data on the total number of infected cattle or how many have died.
Field visits to different areas of the upazila revealed that almost every farmer's household has at least one infected cow. To save their cattle, many are turning to local quack doctors and traditional healers. Marginal farmers report that this year’s outbreak is more severe than in previous years. Infected cattle are dying despite ongoing treatment, and their health deteriorates rapidly. Maintaining treatment is becoming increasingly expensive.
Rafiqul Islam, a farmer from Ghogarkuti village, said, "Before Eid, two of my cows showed signs of LSD. I called the local vet and began treatment—one is a little better now, but the other is seriously ill with lesions all over its body."
Abul Hossain of the same village reported, "One of my cows and one of my son’s cows have already died from this disease. If the government had helped with vaccines, things might have been different."
Another villager, Shahjalar Sheikh, said, "I'm a poor man. I bought two Friesian cows with great hardship. One worth around 70–75 thousand taka died of this disease. I’m now very worried about the other one. Many others in the area have also lost their cattle. Nazrul Islam lost one, Saiful Islam one, Fakhr Uddin Master one, Abul Hossain one, and Anwar Hossain one cow to this disease. Nearly every household has infected cattle. We are terrified."
Another farmer from the same village, Rafiqul Islam, stated that two out of his four cows are infected. Despite taking veterinary treatment, there was no significant improvement, so he turned to a traditional healer.
Hasna Begum, a farmer from Chandrakhana village in the Sadar Union, said, “I have four cows. A week ago, one of them developed blisters on its skin. I thought it was an allergy, so I didn’t call the vet. Later, its mouth developed sores and its legs became swollen. When the condition worsened, I called a local vet who diagnosed it as LSD. I spent five thousand taka on treatment, but it didn’t work—the cow died. I am extremely worried about my remaining cattle.”
Another farmer, Ali Ahmed, said that two out of his four cows were infected with LSD. One died during treatment, and the other is in critical condition. He fears the remaining two will get infected soon. He is frustrated as he couldn't save his cattle even with proper treatment.
Nazrul Islam, a farmer from Shah Bazar area, said that one of his five cows—a calf—died of LSD. Two of his neighbors also lost calves. He added that he had vaccinated four of his cows before the hot season, and those cows are still healthy. He believes that widespread vaccination could have prevented this outbreak.
Upazila Livestock Officer Arifur Rahman Konok stated that marginal farmers are more affected by the LSD outbreak than commercial cattle farmers. He said that delayed or end-stage treatment is leading to increased mortality. The department is trying to raise awareness among farmers through courtyard meetings and is advising immediate contact with the Upazila Livestock Office for proper treatment.
