CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kader said thousands of cattle were reported to have been infected with the disease.

He said the disease could easily be spread to Malaysia during the Hari Raya Aidiladha celebration next month.

“As Malaysians will be celebrating Aidiladha this July, more live cattle will be imported into the country for the celebration of this festival.

“The disease is highly contagious as it is spread through mosquitoes, flies and fleas,” he said in a statement.

Mohideen urged the department to conduct an investigation to ensure local cattle were not infected with the disease.

Lumpy skin disease is infectious among cattle and caused by a virus of the Poxviridae family, also known as the Neethling virus. The disease is characterised by fever, enlarged superficial lymph nodes and multiple nodules on the skin and mucous membranes.

The Thai government announced that more than 6,700 cows and buffaloes in 35 provinces had been affected.

The outbreak started in Nakhon Phanom about three months ago.