Lumpy Skin Disease Outbreak Spreads in Southern Punjab
RAHIM YAR KHAN, August 25, 2025 — A fresh outbreak of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) has been reported in southern Punjab, with dozens of cattle cases emerging in Rahim Yar Khan and nearby areas bordering Sindh and Balochistan.
Farmers are raising concerns as vaccine shortages continue, forcing them to rely on costly private supplies to protect their livestock.
Villages Most Affected
The outbreak has been reported in several areas, including:
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Chak 196-1-L
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Chak 93-1-L
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Chak 251-1-L
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Chak 159-7-R
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Sheikh Bhatta Bagho
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Bagho Bahar
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Ahmadpur Lamma
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Ranjha Khan
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Kot Sabzal
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Chowk Bahadurpur
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Tib Chauhan
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Head Fareed
Symptoms and Impact on Livestock
According to veterinary experts, Lumpy Skin Disease is highly contagious and causes:
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Painful skin nodules
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High fever
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Loss of appetite
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Significant drop in milk production
Infected animals often show disfigured meat, making them unsuitable for sale or consumption.
The disease was first detected in Pakistan in 2022 after the import of cattle and has since caused recurring losses to the livestock sector.
Vaccine Shortage and Rising Costs
Although the Punjab Livestock Department has issued alerts, farmers say no government-supplied vaccines have reached their villages. Instead, they are forced to buy expensive private doses, further straining their resources.
Similar outbreaks have also been reported in Pakpattan, Lodhran, and Khanewal, suggesting that the virus is now moving northward. Earlier this year, Punjab also faced widespread cases of foot-and-mouth disease.
Government Response
Authorities have announced plans to set up inter-provincial checkpoints to control the movement of infected cattle from Sindh and Balochistan into Punjab. However, implementation on the ground is still limited, according to local sources.
Livestock experts are urging the government to:
✅ Ensure immediate vaccine supply
✅ Increase surveillance across districts
✅ Launch farmer awareness campaigns
Without quick action, experts warn that the situation could escalate into a crisis similar to 2022’s major outbreak.
✨ The latest outbreak highlights the urgent need for stronger livestock health measures to protect farmers’ livelihoods and safeguard Pakistan’s dairy and meat industry.
