A central government expert team on Thursday, 15 October 2026, visited Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD)-affected areas across Jammu and Kashmir, reviewing ground-level containment measures and assessing the threat to livestock farmers in the Union Territory. The visit signals heightened federal attention to an outbreak that is disrupting dairy livelihoods and cattle health across the region.

Key Developments During the Visit

The team was headed by Dr Sudam Bagh, Deputy Commissioner (Livestock Health), Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying under the Union Ministry of Fisheries. He was accompanied by Dr Sandeep Pandita, Technical Assistant at the M S Institute of Animal Health and Biological Production, R S Pura, Jammu. The delegation inspected several LSD-affected villages, assessed the challenges faced by livestock farmers, and engaged with officials of the Animal Husbandry Department of Jammu and Kashmir.

As part of the outreach, mineral mixtures, wound-dressing materials, and disinfectants were distributed among farmers. Awareness and sensitisation programmes were also held to educate farmers on disease prevention, biosecurity measures, hygiene practices, and appropriate livestock management.

Sample Collection Across Affected Districts

Parallel to the inspection, disease surveillance teams carried out sample collection from LSD-affected cattle across multiple districts. A team from the Deputy Director, Research and Production (DDR&P), led by Dr Abhimanyu Chauhan, Lab Officer, collected samples from cattle in Samba and Kathua districts. A separate team from the District Investigation Office (DIO), Jammu, led by Dr Ravinder Singh Thakur, Lab Officer, gathered samples from affected cattle in Jammu district. Dr Muddassir Nazar, Livestock Development Officer, R S Pura, accompanied the visiting officer during the field tour.

These samples are intended to facilitate laboratory investigations and support a comprehensive assessment of the disease's spread and severity.

What Is Lumpy Skin Disease

Lumpy Skin Disease is a contagious viral infection of cattle and water buffalo caused by the Lumpy skin disease virus (Capripoxvirus). It spreads primarily through blood-feeding insects such as mosquitoes, biting flies, and ticks, as well as through the movement of infected livestock or contaminated feed and water. The disease does not affect humans.

Symptoms include high fever (often above 41°C), firm and painful skin nodules of 2–5 cm across the body, swollen lymph nodes, leg oedema, a sharp drop in milk production, significant weight loss, and temporary or permanent infertility in bulls. It causes major economic losses for dairy and beef producers through damaged hides, reduced milk yield, and trade restrictions.

Control Measures and Coordination

Control efforts rely on mass vaccination using live-attenuated vaccines, vector and insect control, quarantine protocols, and movement restrictions on livestock. A review meeting was convened at the Directorate of Animal Husbandry, Jammu, bringing together district-level officers to discuss field interventions, disease surveillance strategies, and the importance of sustained farmer awareness.

Officials emphasised that close coordination between the Centre and J&K's Animal Husbandry Department remains essential to containing the outbreak and protecting both livestock health and the livelihoods of farmers dependent on cattle and dairy. With samples now in laboratory analysis, the results are expected to inform the next phase of the government's response.