Lumpy Skin Disease:
Lumpy Skin Disease is a viral illness that causes prolonged morbidity in cattle and buffaloes.
- Caused by the poxvirus Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV).
- LSD affects the lymph nodes of the infected animal, causing the nodes to enlarge and appear like lumps on the skin, which is where it derives its name from.
- The disease was first observed in Zambia in 1929, subsequently spreading to most African countries extensively
- It is not a zoonotic virus, meaning the disease cannot spread to humans, and therefore it is safe to consume milk from the affected animal.
- It is a contagious vector-borne disease spread by vectors like mosquitoes, some biting flies, and ticks and usually affects host animals like cows and water buffaloes.
- The spread of the disease can lead to “substantial” and “severe” economic losses according to FAO and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
- The disease leads to reduced milk production as the animal becomes weak and also loses appetite due to mouth ulceration.
- There is no treatment for the virus, so prevention by vaccination is the most effective means of control.
- Goat Pox Vaccine is “very effective” against LSD.
- Two institutes of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) have developed an indigenous vaccine for LSD
