Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a viral disease that primarily affects cattle but can also impact domestic water buffalo and some wild ruminants. It poses a global threat to cattle production and imposes a significant economic burden on farmers. The disease is caused by a virus called lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), which belongs to a family of viruses known as poxviruses. LSDV is enveloped and has a double-stranded DNA genome that contains around 156 potential genes and is approximately 151 kilobase pairs in size. OIE listed LSD in notifiable terrestrial and aquatic animal disease. The risk factors associated with LSDV transmission includes warm humid agrochemical environment, communal grazing, and introduction of new animal in herd.
Sign and Symptoms
The clinical disease is characterised by fever, swollen lymph nodes near the skin, discharge from the nose, watery eyes, and the development of nodules (small bumps) on their skin throughout the body. The severity of the disease can range from mild, with no obvious signs, to severe cases that can result in death. The intensity of the disease depends on factors like the specific strain of the lumpy skin disease virus, the prevalence of the vectors that spread the disease, the age of the animal, and the strength of the animal’s immune system. Transmission occurs through arthropod vectors and by direct contact with infected animals.
Prevention and Control
To prevent disease in any herd new animals should be vaccinated before introducing them in farms. Calves should be vaccinated at age of 3-4 months if mother is infected. For the control of lumpy skin disease (LSD), various countries have employed two types of vaccines: homologous live attenuated LSDV vaccines and heterologous live attenuated SPPV or GTPV vaccines. The success of these vaccines varies across different countries. Homologous live LSDV vaccines have been extensively used in several regions of Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. Prevention and control strategies for LSDV relies on vaccination, movement restriction of animals and control of vector population in that area.
LSDV in Pakistan
In Pakistan, LSDV was first reported by print and social media in November 2021 in Sindh and its incidence are occurring in Punjab as well. Molecular tools are being used for the detection of LSDV in disease suspected areas. The economic situation in Pakistan would be significantly affected by this outbreak of LSDV because it has affected more than 190,000 animals nationwide. The entry of LSDV in Pakistan might be neighbouring countries from which we are sharing boarders and have trading of animals in any way. Our study showed that the risk of disease increases if vectors like mosquitoes and ticks are present on farms. It is suggested that proper vaccination of animals should be done before trading of animals between neighbouring countries. As transmission of diseases occurs through vectors so vector control strategies should be opted to control the disease.