Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an infectious viral disease of cattle and water buffalo. LSD is caused by lumpy skin disease virus, a virus from the family Poxviridae, genus Capri poxvirus. It is a vector-borne disease spread by biting insects such as mosquitoes and biting flies.
The disease is characterized by fever, eruptions and nodules on the skin, mucous membranes and other parts of the body. The nodular lesions involve the dermis and the epidermis, but may extend to the underlying subcutis or even to the muscle. Cutaneous lesions may be resolved rapidly or they may persist as hard lumps. Less commonly, the virus may be spread by direct contact through blood, skin lesions, saliva, nasal discharge, or semen of infected animals and through infected milk to suckling calves.
The incubation period is believed to be two to five weeks, and lesions first appear at the inoculation site in 4 to 20 days. Fever is the initial sign that is followed within two days by the development of nodules on the skin and mucous membranes.
LSD is not Zoonotic and cannot be transmitted to humans. According to Agha Khan University Hospital (AKUH) Pakistan, LSD is not infectious to humans and consuming meat or milk does not transmit infection to humans. However, to prevent other infections food safety should be continued by consuming pasteurized or well boiled milk and milk products. Meat should be cooked thoroughly.
Lumpy skin disease had been present in different Countries of the world since 2012, or even before. LSD originally found in Africa, it has also spread to countries in the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. The disease emerged in Bangladesh in July 2019 in the Chattogram district, then rapidly spread throughout the entire country. After that the disease spread in India, Iran and in 2022 in Pakistan
Lumpy skin disease, causes considerable financial losses in livestock industry of affected countries. The disease has economic implications as the affected animals tend to have permanent damage to their skin additionally, the LSD often results in chronic debility, reduced milk production, poor growth, infertility, abortion, and sometimes death.
Morbidity and mortality rates of LSD outbreaks depends on geographic location, climate, general condition and nutritional status of the animal, breed of cattle, immune status and dissemination of insect vectors in the various habitats. The morbidity rate for LSD are ranges from 5 to 45 %. However, the morbidity rates of 1 to 5 percent is considered more usual.
There is no specific treatment for LSD. However, supportive treatment should be given to infected animals to relieve clinical signs and to control all secondary complications. Vaccination
of cattle is the most effective option for controlling the spread of lumpy skin disease.
Insecticides spray together with repellents can be an aid in the prevention of the spread of LSD. LSD outbreaks can be eradicated by quarantines, depopulation of infected and exposed animals, proper disposal of carcass, cleaning and disinfection of the premises and insect control. Wash hands with soap and water immediately after handling meat, and cattle.