The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) called on the Department of Veterinary Services Malaysia (DVS) to activate a surveillance programme to detect, control and prevent the spread of lumpy skin disease (LSD) nationwide.
Recently it was reported that LSD which infects the skin of livestock was detected in a cattle
farm in Simpang Pulai, Perak.
“LSD is a zoonotic disease (meaning that it cannot infect humans) caused by a type of
Capripoxvirus. The disease is known only to infect cows and buffaloes.
“According to the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the disease
was first identified in Africa sometime in 1929 and had since spread to other parts of the
world. LSD had reportedly spread in several Asian countries including India, Bangladesh,
Nepal, Bhutan, China, Chinese Taipei, Vietnam, and Myanmar and most recently in Thailand.
“Lumpy skin disease not only causes chronic debility and death in infected farm animals, but it
also has an economic impact on the world as it disrupts the trade of livestock and livestock
products, globally.
“In view of this, CAP calls on the Department of Veterinary Services Malaysia (DVS) to:
· Tighten the conditions for the import of live cattle from abroad in collaboration with the
Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (MAQIS).
· Take action on any consignment of imported cattle that show symptoms of LSD at the
Quarantine Station<” said CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kader in a press statement.