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

Summary

A 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.