By our correspondent
KARACHI: Veterinary authorities in Balochistan have issued a critical alert in response to reports of lumpy skin disease (LSD) affecting livestock in parts of Sindh. The disease, which has already been detected in the districts of Moro and Naushahro Feroze, has raised concerns about its potential spread to neighboring regions, including Balochistan.
The fresh wave of fear is compounded by memories of the devastating 2022–23 outbreak, which caused significant losses to the region’s livestock sector and severely impacted rural communities dependent on cattle for their livelihoods. In a formal advisory, the provincial Livestock Department has confirmed the reports of LSD cases and is taking immediate steps to prevent the disease from crossing into Balochistan.
To ensure the safety of local herds, the department has instructed its officials to closely monitor animal movements, particularly along the Sindh-Balochistan border and near the frontier with Afghanistan. Livestock officers have been given strict instructions to halt the entry of any animals showing signs of infection, or that may have come from areas already affected by the disease.
These preventive measures are crucial to avoiding another outbreak, which could wreak havoc on the local economy and further harm the livelihoods of farmers and herders who rely on their animals for sustenance and income. The alert underscores the vulnerability of Balochistan’s livestock sector, which remains at high risk given its proximity to regions currently battling the disease. As the situation develops, local authorities are likely to intensify surveillance and increase their efforts to prevent the spread of LSD into the province.
