I am treating lumpy skin disease in Nghịu village. The outbreak is spreading widely. As of early September, there were about 50 infected animals in Chiềng Chung commune; two died and had to be disposed of because the households did not report their illness in time for treatment. I treated 16 animals in two villages. When I offer medicine, I only charge for travel costs on the top of the medication expenses. There is no effective medication for this disease.
In Chiềng Lương commune, lumpy skin disease is found in various villages such as Oi, Mờn 1, Tảng, Lụng Tra, Mật Sàng, Buôm Khoang, Pó In and Chi 2. It exists throughout the commune. By the beginning of September, more than 50 cows and three buffaloes were infected; most of them were not vaccinated or not vaccinated in time. Some households ask for vaccination when one animal in the herd is infected. Each vial contains 25 doses of vaccine, which costs 35,000 dong (1.5 US dollars) per dose. If the cost of the syringe, transport and veterinary service is added, the total price will be 45,000 dong (2 US dollars) per dose. But only one or two households ask for the vaccination and we have to advocate vaccinating to each household. The vaccination cannot be used on a large number of animals at once because there is only one buffalo or cow on a hill, while the opened vaccine must be used within two hours.
Chiềng Lương commune has disposed of seven dead cows due to lumpy skin disease.
Narrators: Lò Văn Cươi (Thai ethnicity) and Lường Thị Thu (Thai ethnicity, 37 years old)
Photographer: Lò Thị Ánh Tuyết (Thai ethnicity, 14 years old)
Persons in the photo: Lò Văn Cươi (Thai ethnicity)