<p>Over 400 cattle have died due to lumpy skin disease in Punjab in a month and around 20,000, mostly cows, have been infected, a senior official said on Saturday.</p>.<p>Barnala, Bathinda Faridkot, Jalandhar, Moga and Muktsar are among the worst-affected districts of the state, joint director of Punjab Animal Husbandry Department Ram Pal Mittal said.</p>.<p>The department has also issued an advisory for protecting animals from the viral infection.</p>.<p>The first confirmed case of lumpy skin disease (LSD) was reported in Punjab on July 4, Mittal said.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/north-and-central/over-50-cattle-die-at-shelter-in-ups-amroha-cm-yogi-orders-probe-1133255.html">Over 50 cattle die at shelter in UP's Amroha, CM Yogi orders probe</a></strong></p>.<p>"Around 20,000 cases of LSD have been reported so far in Punjab and 424 cattle have died," he said.</p>.<p>Mostly cows have been affected by the disease, with infections being reported from 'gaushalas' and dairy farms, he added.</p>.<p>LSD is caused by a virus of the capripox genus. It spreads rapidly among cows and buffaloes through flies, mosquitoes and ticks.</p>.<p>It causes soft blister-like nodules all over the body, fever, runny nose, watery eyes, salivation, reduced milk yield and difficulty in eating.</p>.<p>According to the advisory issued by the Animal Husbandry Department, an animal that has contracted LSD should be separated from others to check the spread of the infection.</p>.<p>The movement of such animals should also be restricted, the advisory stated.</p>.<p>Animals affected by LSD should be given green fodder and a liquid diet, Mittal said, adding that cattle owners should maintain hygienic conditions and spray disinfectants in animal sheds.</p>.<p>The state government has already instructed field veterinary staff to intensify the campaign for the prevention of the contagious disease.</p>.<p>It has also ordered that veterinary officers be deputed in the worst-affected districts with immediate effect.</p>.<p>Instructions have been issued to district deputy directors of the Animal Husbandry Department to intensify field visits.</p>
<p>Over 400 cattle have died due to lumpy skin disease in Punjab in a month and around 20,000, mostly cows, have been infected, a senior official said on Saturday.</p>.<p>Barnala, Bathinda Faridkot, Jalandhar, Moga and Muktsar are among the worst-affected districts of the state, joint director of Punjab Animal Husbandry Department Ram Pal Mittal said.</p>.<p>The department has also issued an advisory for protecting animals from the viral infection.</p>.<p>The first confirmed case of lumpy skin disease (LSD) was reported in Punjab on July 4, Mittal said.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/north-and-central/over-50-cattle-die-at-shelter-in-ups-amroha-cm-yogi-orders-probe-1133255.html">Over 50 cattle die at shelter in UP's Amroha, CM Yogi orders probe</a></strong></p>.<p>"Around 20,000 cases of LSD have been reported so far in Punjab and 424 cattle have died," he said.</p>.<p>Mostly cows have been affected by the disease, with infections being reported from 'gaushalas' and dairy farms, he added.</p>.<p>LSD is caused by a virus of the capripox genus. It spreads rapidly among cows and buffaloes through flies, mosquitoes and ticks.</p>.<p>It causes soft blister-like nodules all over the body, fever, runny nose, watery eyes, salivation, reduced milk yield and difficulty in eating.</p>.<p>According to the advisory issued by the Animal Husbandry Department, an animal that has contracted LSD should be separated from others to check the spread of the infection.</p>.<p>The movement of such animals should also be restricted, the advisory stated.</p>.<p>Animals affected by LSD should be given green fodder and a liquid diet, Mittal said, adding that cattle owners should maintain hygienic conditions and spray disinfectants in animal sheds.</p>.<p>The state government has already instructed field veterinary staff to intensify the campaign for the prevention of the contagious disease.</p>.<p>It has also ordered that veterinary officers be deputed in the worst-affected districts with immediate effect.</p>.<p>Instructions have been issued to district deputy directors of the Animal Husbandry Department to intensify field visits.</p>