Press Release
Press Release From Animal Husbandry And Veterinary Services Department
Information & Public Relations Department
Gangtok, July 19: State Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (SADDL), Gangtok under Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department, Government of Sikkim for the first time in state has initiated PCR based diagnosis of Lumpy Skin Disease and African Swine Fever.
After long trials of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) standardization, SADDL have finally been able to standardize the condition for Lumpy Skin Disease Virus (LSDV) and African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV). Standard Operating Procedure issued by National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal and World Organization of Animal Health (WAOH) were followed during the process of PCR standardization.
Lumpy Skin Disease is an infectious viral disease of cattle, yak and buffaloes characterized by mild fever for 2-3 days followed by development of stiff, round cutaneous nodules (2-5 cm in diameter) on the skin all over the body. Symptoms may include lesions in mouth, pharynx and respiratory tract, emaciation, enlarged lymph nodes, oedema of limbs, reduction in milk production, abortion, infertility and sometimes, death. The infected animals show drastic reduction in milk production in high yielding cows. The morbidity is around 10-20 percent and mortality is around 1-5 percent.
African swine fever is a highly contagious viral disease of domestic and wild pigs, whose mortality rate can reach 100 percent. The clinical symptoms include acute, sub-acute and chronic form that exhibits variable symptoms. The virus is highly resistant in the environment.
Therefore, human behaviors can play an important role in spreading this pig disease across borders if adequate measures are not taken.
Due to its increasing incidences in cattle and pig population of our state, the focus was made on early state level detection of LSDV and ASFV. These diseases are economically important as it causes huge loss to the farmers. However, departmental SOPs in line with DAHD, Government of Sikkim on both the disease was already issued and is being strictly implemented by the field veterinarians.
Under the direction of Principal Director cum Secretary, Dr. Sharman Rai and with the technical support and guidance of In-charge cum Additional Director, SADDL Dr. Emila Shenga made it possible to start with the diagnosis. The disease diagnostic team involved in the process of PCR standardization was led by Dr. Tashila Pintso, Veterinary Officer followed by Mr. Uzwal Tamang, Technical Assistant, Mrs. Tshering Tamang, Lab Technician and other staff of SADDL.
After long trials of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) standardization, SADDL have finally been able to standardize the condition for Lumpy Skin Disease Virus (LSDV) and African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV). Standard Operating Procedure issued by National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal and World Organization of Animal Health (WAOH) were followed during the process of PCR standardization.
Lumpy Skin Disease is an infectious viral disease of cattle, yak and buffaloes characterized by mild fever for 2-3 days followed by development of stiff, round cutaneous nodules (2-5 cm in diameter) on the skin all over the body. Symptoms may include lesions in mouth, pharynx and respiratory tract, emaciation, enlarged lymph nodes, oedema of limbs, reduction in milk production, abortion, infertility and sometimes, death. The infected animals show drastic reduction in milk production in high yielding cows. The morbidity is around 10-20 percent and mortality is around 1-5 percent.
African swine fever is a highly contagious viral disease of domestic and wild pigs, whose mortality rate can reach 100 percent. The clinical symptoms include acute, sub-acute and chronic form that exhibits variable symptoms. The virus is highly resistant in the environment.
Therefore, human behaviors can play an important role in spreading this pig disease across borders if adequate measures are not taken.
Due to its increasing incidences in cattle and pig population of our state, the focus was made on early state level detection of LSDV and ASFV. These diseases are economically important as it causes huge loss to the farmers. However, departmental SOPs in line with DAHD, Government of Sikkim on both the disease was already issued and is being strictly implemented by the field veterinarians.
Under the direction of Principal Director cum Secretary, Dr. Sharman Rai and with the technical support and guidance of In-charge cum Additional Director, SADDL Dr. Emila Shenga made it possible to start with the diagnosis. The disease diagnostic team involved in the process of PCR standardization was led by Dr. Tashila Pintso, Veterinary Officer followed by Mr. Uzwal Tamang, Technical Assistant, Mrs. Tshering Tamang, Lab Technician and other staff of SADDL.