Assessment of healthcare and management constraints perceived by livestock owners during the lumpy skin disease outbreak in Rajasthan

Abstract

Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) has emerged as a major transboundary viral disease affecting cattle and causing significant economic losses to livestock owners. The 2022 outbreak in Rajasthan severely affected livestock health and disrupted routine management and healthcare practices. The present study was conducted to assess the management and healthcare constraints perceived by livestock owners during the LSD outbreak in five severely affected districts of Rajasthan, namely Jaipur, Jodhpur, Barmer, Sri Ganganagar, and Bikaner. A total of 300 respondents were selected through a multistage sampling technique, and data were collected using a structured interview schedule. The severity of constraints was measured using the Mean Percent Score (MPS) method. The findings revealed that among healthcare constraints, high charges of treatment (MPS = 83.67) were perceived as the most serious constraint, followed by difficulty in taking animals to hospitals for treatment (MPS = 81.67) and irregularity in the delivery of doorstep healthcare services (MPS = 78.33). Lack of availability of effective medicines in villages and inadequate follow-up by veterinary personnel were also reported as important challenges during the outbreak. Regarding management constraints, fewer options available for transporting and disposing of dead carcasses (MPS = 95.56) emerged as the most severe constraint, followed by difficulty in disposing of dead carcasses (MPS = 92.22) and lack of proper places for carcass disposal (MPS = 89.67). Foul smell from carcasses and public objections regarding their disposal further aggravated the situation. Limited space for isolating sick animals, lack of separate housing facilities, and shortage of manpower to manage affected herds were also perceived as important management constraints. Overall, the findings indicate that the LSD outbreak significantly disrupted livestock management and healthcare services, highlighting the need to strengthen veterinary services, improve carcass disposal systems, and enhance preparedness to reduce the impact of future disease outbreaks.