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Islamabad:There have been reports of increasing number of cases of lumpy skin disease virus in cattle particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the districts adjoining KPK yet the greater concern is a misconception being propagated on social media that the meat and milk of the affected cattle is unsafe for human consumption.
A campaign being run on social media advising people not to consume meat of cattle at least for two to three months because of increasing number of LSDV cases in cattle and the rumours that consumption of meat of affected cattle may cause severe health threats to humans is baseless as according to health experts and studies, the LSDV does not pose any risk to human health.
A number of people have started avoiding meat of cows, buffalo and veal after the rumours not only in KPK but also in this region of the country that may pose an economic threat to the business of cattle meat in the local markets. Experts believe that if the rumours go on, there might be a tremendous increase in prices of poultry meat along with mutton.
According to health experts, there is no chance of disease appearing in humans as the LSD is cattle specific and does not cross species barriers. Studies reveal that humans cannot catch LSD and the milk and meat of affected cattle remain safe for human consumption.
Experts say that there is no evidence of lumpy skin disease affecting humans and no human case affected by LSDV has ever been reported anywhere in the world. However, according to health experts, extremely diseased cattle having any other serious infection along with LSD should not be slaughtered.
