Fisheries and Livestock adviser Farida Akhter. File Photo

DHAKA, Feb 11, 2025 (BSS) - Fisheries and Livestock adviser Farida Akhter today laid emphasis on taking effective steps to develop cattle vaccines locally, directing the people concerned to make the farmers aware about Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD).

“Emphasis should be given to developing vaccines for cattle locally so these could be exported after meeting domestic demand,” she said.

The advisor made the remark at the LSD vaccine seed handover ceremony in a city hotel, said a ministry press release.

The event was organized under the development project titled “Zoonosis and Trans-boundary Animal Diseases Prevention and Control Research Project” being implemented by Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI).
 
Mentioning LSD as a trans-boundary animal disease, which is affecting people directly and indirectly, Farida Akhter urged the people concerned to develop vaccine for the disease.

She said that the extent of damage caused by this disease to livestock should be determined quickly. 

The adviser called for increasing the capacity of research and laboratories, saying diseases and germs are being attacked due to climate change and for this, the government is ready to provide necessary support to scientists.

She said that livestock officials should continue to work to increase awareness about LSD disease to see if there will be any harm to humans by eating infected beef.

With BLRI Director General Dr. Shakila Faruque in the chair, Director General of Department of Livestock (DLS) Dr. Md. Abu Sufiun, Additional Secretary of Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Amena Begum, senior officials of Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, BLRI, DLS were present.

BLRI Additional Director Dr. ABM Mustanur Rahman delivered welcome address while keynote speech on LSD vaccine was presented by BLRI Chief Scientific Officer and Head of the Department of Trans-boundary Animal Disease Research Center Dr Muhammad Abdus Samad. 

Dean of Veterinary Faculty of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Professor Dr Md Bahanur Rahman and the Chief of Party of Bangladesh Systems Strengthening for One Health, Professor Dr. Nitish Chandra Debnath participated in the discussion as experts.

At the outset, the advisor formally handed over the LSD vaccine developed by BLRI to the Department of Livestock for commercial production and expansion at the farm level. 

A bilateral MoU on the vaccine was signed alongside unveiling the vaccine production manual.