LUMPY SKIN DISEASE (LSD)

What is it?

LSD aka KNOPVELSIEKTE, is severe systemic viral disease of cattle and water buffalo. It is associated with Neethling poxvirus (LSDV), a member of the Capripoxvirus group.

It is an animal disease, that does not affect humans as there is no evidence that it infects people through direct contact, milk or meat.
India experienced a devastating nationwide outbreak in 2022, which affected millions of cattle and caused substantial economic losses. Owing to lack of knowledge about this disease in primary veterinary officers of India. As this disease is not in the syllabus of BVSC & AH VCI curriculum. That is one of the reasons i have chosen this disease to be my first blog just as to create awareness among myself and my fellow colleagues.

How it spreads?

The LSDV spreads mainly via;
• Blood-feeding insects such as stable flies, mosquitoes, and biting flies (the most important route).
• Movement of infected cattle.
• Direct contact with skin lesions, saliva, nasal discharge, semen, and contaminated equipments.

How it affects?

Upon transmission commonly by insect bite

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Virus enters skin

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Local replication

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Regional lymph nodes

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Viraemia

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Dissemination throughout body

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Vasculitis + fibroblast infection

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Skin nodules

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Necrosis (sit-fast)

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Ulcer → Scar

What to look out for?

Early signs:
Fever (often >40°C) ,Reduced appetite
Sudden drop in milk yield ,Enlarged lymph nodes
Watery eyes and nasal discharge

Typical signs:
Firm, round skin nodules (2–5 cm) over the body, especially on the head, neck, udder, legs, and perineum.
Swelling of legs and brisket. Lameness.
Painful ulcers in the mouth or nose. Skin nodules may die and leave deep wounds (“sitfasts”).

When should you call a veterinarian?

Contact your primary veterinarian immediately if you notice:
• Fever together with skin nodules. Infected nodules producing pus.
• Multiple animals developing similar signs within a few days.
• Painful udder lesions. Sudden fall in milk production.
• Severe swelling, lameness, or difficulty eating. Eye or nasal discharge.

Deaths occurring after a skin disease outbreak.Early veterinary involvement is important because LSD is a notifiable disease in many jurisdictions, and rapid diagnosis helps to limit morbidity and mortality.

Complications:

•Secondary bacterial infections. •Mastitis.
•Infertility in bulls. •Abortions in pregnant cows.
•Severe weight loss and prolonged weakness. •Death is uncommon in healthy adult cattle but can occur in severe outbreaks or with secondary infections.

Treatment

There is no specific antiviral treatment avialable, needs management and supportive treatment viz,
•NSAIDS to reduce fever swelling and pain. •Antibiotics if secondary bacterial infections develop.

•Fluid therapy when required.
•Good and balanced nutrition particularly proteins vitamins and mineral supplementation.

•Clean housing, fly and mosquito control. Isolation of affected animals.

Prevention

The most effective measures include:

•Vaccination where recommended. Strict insect control.
•Quarantine of new or sick animals.

•Restricting animal movement during outbreaks. Cleaning and disinfection of routinely used equipment.

Recent lumpy skin disease (LSD) situation in India

India reported its first confirmed cases of LSD in 2019 (Odisha), followed by localized outbreaks during 2020–2021. The largest epidemic occurred during 2022, affecting most cattle-rearing states and becoming one of the most severe transboundary animal disease outbreaks recorded in the country. Since 2023, the number of outbreaks has declined substantially due to vaccination, surveillance, and movement control, although sporadic outbreaks continue to be reported in some states.

Government of India response

The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD) coordinated the national response through state animal husbandry departments.

Major interventions

Nationwide disease surveillance.

Immediate outbreak notification

Restriction of cattle movement

Isolation of infected animals

Ring vaccination

Vector control (flies, mosquitoes, ticks)

Biosecurity advisories

Laboratory confirmation through ICARNIHSAD and state laboratories

Farmer awareness campaigns

Monitoring through the National Animal Disease Control framework

Workforce involved:

The outbreak response involved a multi-tier workforce:

State Animal Husbandry Departments

District Veterinary Officers Veterinary

Assistant Surgeons Livestock Inspectors Livestock Extension Officers

Para-veterinary workers Accredited field veterinarians ICAR institutes

National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD)

State Disease Diagnostic Laboratories

Responsibilities included:

Active surveillance

Case detection

Sampling

Vaccination

Farmer educatio

Vector control

Reporting to DAHD

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

Surveillance

• Immediate reporting of suspected cases
• Clinical examination
• Sample collection
• Laboratory confirmation
  

Vector control

• Insecticide spraying
• Tick control
• Elimination of mosquito breeding sites

Farm biosecurity

• Isolation of infected cattle
• Restriction of animal movement
• Disposal of carcasses by deep burial/ incineration
• Disinfection of sheds

Vaccination

Initially:
Goatpox vaccine (heterologous)

Later:
Indigenous Lumpi-ProVacInd vaccine developed by ICAR which is live attenuated vaccine

References;
1) Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD), Government of India

2) Standing Committee on Agriculture, Animal Husbandry & Food Processing (2023)
Spread of Lumpy Skin Disease in Cattle in the Country and Issues Related
3) Government Open Data (data.gov.in) State-wise deaths and losses due to LSD (2019– 2023).
4) Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying Advisories and vaccination guidelines for LSD control (including deployment of LumpiProVacInd).