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News: Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), which caused a major outbreak among cattle in India in 2022, is spreading again in several parts of the country.
About Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD)
- Lumpy Skin Disease is an infectious disease in cattle caused by a virus of the family Poxviridae, also known as the Neethling virus.
- Caused by: It is caused by lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) which belongs to the genus capripoxvirus. This virus is a part of the poxviridae family.
- Smallpox and monkeypox viruses are also a part of the same family.
- The LSDV shares antigenic similarities with the sheep pox virus (SPPV) and the goat pox virus (GTPV) and it is similar in the immune response to those viruses.
- The outbreak of the disease is associated with high temperature and high humidity.
- Origin: Lumpy skin disease was first seen as an epidemic in Zambia in 1929.
- In India, the case was first reported from Odisha in August 2019 and currently, it has spread to 15 states.
- Symptoms: The disease is characterized by fever, enlarged superficial lymph nodes and multiple nodules on the skin and mucous membranes.
- Infected cattle also may develop edematous swelling in their limbs and exhibit lameness.
- Mortality Rate: Morbidity varies between 2% – 45% and the mortality rate is usually less than 10%.
- Treatment: There is no treatment for the virus, so prevention by vaccination is the most effective means of control.
- Implications: The virus has important economic implications since affected animals tend to have permanent damage to their skin, lowering the commercial value of their hide.
