WION Climate Tracker | India: Lumpy skin disease kills over 100,000 livestock

WION

3 Oct 202202:44

Summary

TLDRA viral disease known as lumpy skin disease has caused significant distress among cattle farmers in India, resulting in the death of nearly 100,000 cows and buffaloes and affecting over 2 million more. This outbreak has led to substantial income losses due to decreased milk production and health issues in livestock. The disease, spread by insects like mosquitoes and ticks, has been growing since 2019 and has now reached at least 15 states. The crisis exacerbates the challenges faced by farmers, including those from extreme weather events, and disproportionately impacts small farmers who rely on cattle for milk, adding to their struggles with climate change.

Takeaways

🐂 A viral disease known as lumpy skin disease has caused significant distress among cattle farmers in India.
📉 The disease has led to the death of nearly 100,000 cows and buffalos and sickened over 2 million more, causing severe income losses for farmers.
🤒 Infected animals suffer from fever and develop lumps on their skin, which also affects milk production and can cause birth issues.
🦟 The disease is spread by blood-sucking insects like mosquitoes and ticks, and can also spread through contaminated food and water sources.
📈 The number of affected animals has been increasing over the past few years, with the disease now present in at least 15 states.
🗓️ The disease was first noticed in 2019 and has persisted, highlighting a lack of proactive measures to control its spread.
🌾 Farmers in India have faced multiple challenges in recent years, including extreme weather events and the current cattle disease outbreak.
🌡️ A record-shattering heat wave in April reduced wheat yields, while insufficient rainfall and intense rainfall have damaged other crops.
🐄 Small farmers are disproportionately affected by the disease outbreak, as many rely on cattle rearing for milk to cope with climate change impacts.
📱 The script mentions the availability of an app called 'Beyond World' in the user's country, suggesting a call to action for app download.

Q & A

What is the name of the viral disease affecting cattle in India?
-The viral disease affecting cattle in India is known as lumpy skin disease.
How many cattle have died due to lumpy skin disease in India?
-Nearly 100,000 cows and buffalos have died due to lumpy skin disease in India.
What is the total number of cattle affected by lumpy skin disease, including those that have died?
-More than 2 million cattle, including those that have died, have been affected by lumpy skin disease.
What are the economic implications of lumpy skin disease for Indian farmers?
-The outbreak of lumpy skin disease has led to devastating income losses for farmers due to death and decreased milk production.
What are the symptoms of lumpy skin disease in cattle?
-Infected cattle get fever and develop lumps on their skin.
How is lumpy skin disease transmitted?
-The disease is spread by insects that feed on blood like mosquitoes and ticks, and also through direct contact with infected animals or contaminated fodder and water.
When was the lumpy skin disease first noticed in India?
-The disease was first noticed in India in September 2019.
How many states in India have been affected by the lumpy skin disease outbreak?
-At least 15 states in India have been affected by the lumpy skin disease outbreak.
What other challenges have Indian farmers faced recently besides lumpy skin disease?
-Indian farmers have also faced challenges such as extreme weather events, a record-shattering heat wave, insufficient rainfall, and unusually intense rainfall damaging crops.
Why is the lumpy skin disease outbreak particularly impactful for small farmers?
-The outbreak is having a disproportionate effect on small farmers who often rely on cattle for milk as a means to insulate themselves from the shocks of climate change.
What measures should have been taken to prevent the spread of lumpy skin disease, according to the script?
-The script suggests that proactive measures should have been taken at the beginning of the outbreak to prevent the disease from spreading as widely as it has.

Outlines

00:00

🐮 Lumpy Skin Disease Outbreak in India

India's cattle farmers are facing a crisis due to a viral disease known as lumpy skin disease, which has led to the death of nearly 100,000 cows and buffaloes and sickened over 2 million more. This outbreak has caused significant income losses for farmers, with impacts including decreased milk production, emaciated animals, and birth issues. The disease, which was first noticed in 2019, is spread by blood-feeding insects like mosquitoes and ticks, and can also spread through contaminated fodder and water. The government's response has been criticized as insufficient, with the disease spreading to at least 15 states and the number of affected animals nearly doubling in a short period. The farmers, who have already faced challenges from extreme weather events, are now dealing with this additional threat, which is particularly impacting small farmers who rely on cattle for milk.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Lumpy Skin Disease

Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) is a viral disease that affects cattle and buffaloes, causing fever and lumps on the skin. In the context of the video, LSD has led to significant losses in India, with nearly 100,000 deaths and over 2 million infections, impacting farmers' incomes and milk production. The disease is a central theme as it highlights the distress faced by cattle farmers due to the outbreak.

💡Cattle Farmers

Cattle farmers are individuals or entities engaged in the business of raising cattle, primarily for milk, meat, or labor. The video emphasizes the plight of these farmers in India, who are facing economic distress due to the Lumpy Skin Disease outbreak, which has caused the death of livestock and reduced milk production, leading to income losses.

💡Income Losses

Income losses refer to the financial setbacks experienced by individuals or businesses due to unforeseen circumstances. In the video, income losses are a direct result of the Lumpy Skin Disease outbreak, as it has led to the death of cattle and a decrease in milk production, which are primary sources of income for cattle farmers.

💡Milk Production

Milk production is the process of obtaining milk from dairy animals, primarily cows and buffaloes. The script mentions a decrease in milk production as a consequence of the Lumpy Skin Disease, which not only affects the health of the animals but also has economic repercussions for farmers who rely on milk sales for their livelihood.

💡Viral Disease

A viral disease is an illness caused by a virus. In the video, Lumpy Skin Disease is identified as a viral disease that has spread rapidly among cattle and buffaloes in India, causing severe health issues and contributing to the distress of farmers.

💡Insects

Insects, such as mosquitoes and ticks mentioned in the script, are arthropods that play a role in the transmission of diseases. In the context of Lumpy Skin Disease, these insects act as vectors, spreading the virus to cattle and buffaloes through blood feeding.

💡Vector-Borne Disease

A vector-borne disease is transmitted to humans or animals by a disease-carrying organism, or vector, such as insects. The video discusses how Lumpy Skin Disease is spread by blood-feeding insects, making it a vector-borne disease that poses a significant threat to cattle health.

💡Contamination

Contamination refers to the presence of harmful substances or pathogens where they should not be. In the video, contamination is mentioned in relation to how the Lumpy Skin Disease virus can spread through infected animals' oral and nasal secretions, contaminating shared feeding and water sources.

💡Climate Change

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. The script connects the struggles of farmers to climate change, as they have faced challenges like extreme heat, insufficient rainfall, and intense rainfall, which have negatively impacted crop yields and added to their problems.

💡Small Farmers

Small farmers are those who operate on a smaller scale, often relying on traditional methods and limited resources. The video emphasizes the disproportionate effect of the Lumpy Skin Disease on small farmers, who have been particularly vulnerable due to their reliance on cattle for milk and their limited ability to cope with such shocks.

💡Outbreak

An outbreak refers to a sudden start or increase in the occurrence of a disease in a given population. The video discusses the outbreak of Lumpy Skin Disease, which has rapidly spread across 15 states in India, causing a significant increase in the number of affected cattle and buffaloes.

Highlights

A viral disease known as lumpy skin disease has killed nearly 100,000 cows and buffalos in India and sickened over 2 million more.

The outbreak has caused devastating income losses for farmers due to death and decreased milk production.

The disease, which first appeared in 2019, has been compared to a pandemic due to its severity and widespread impact.

The disease is spread by insects like mosquitoes and ticks that feed on blood.

Infected animals can also spread the virus through oral and nasal secretions, contaminating common feeding and water sources.

The disease has spread to at least 15 states, with the number of affected cows and buffalos nearly doubling in three weeks.

Farmers have experienced severe losses from extreme weather events, including a record-shattering heat wave and insufficient rainfall.

The contagion is having a disproportionate effect on small farmers who rely on cattle for milk as a means to cope with climate change.

The government's response to the disease outbreak has been criticized for not being proactive enough.

The disease has led to emaciated animals and birth issues, further impacting the cattle farming industry.

The situation has been described as serious, with calls for the government to declare it an academic emergency.

The disease's impact has been growing over the last couple of years, indicating a lack of effective control measures.

The outbreak has added to the list of problems faced by farmers, including damage to crops due to unusual weather patterns.

The disease's rapid spread has been linked to direct contact with vectors and contaminated fodder and water.

The long duration of the disease's presence, since 2019, highlights the need for a more proactive approach to its management.

The transcript emphasizes the urgency of addressing the cattle disease outbreak to mitigate its impact on farmers and the dairy industry.