The lumpy skin disease

Source: The post is based on an article “The lumpy skin disease” published in The Hindu on 21^st September 2022.

Syllabus: GS 3

Relevance: Lumpy Skin Disease and challenges associated with it

News: Lumpy Skin Disease has spread in India and it has severe implications on the economy of India.

The article discusses the challenges associated with Lumpy Skin Disease and measures taken by the government to control it.

What is Lumpy Skin Disease LSD?

Virus: 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.

Effect of LSD: LSD affects the lymph nodes of the infected animal causing the nodes to enlarge and appear like lumps on the skin. The nodules may turn into ulcers which can develop scabs over the skin.

Incubation period: According to the FAO, the time between infection and symptoms is about 28 days.

More on LSD – https://forumias.com/blog/lumpy-skin-disease-in-cattle/

https://forumias.com/blog/lumpy-skin-disease-epidemic-in-saurashtra-39-animals-dead-govt/

Is it safe to consume the milk of affected cattle?

LSD is a non-zoonotic disease therefore it is safe to drink milk from the infected cattle.

Moreover, a large portion of milk produced is either pasteurized or boiled, or dried in order to make milk powder.

This process ensures that the virus is inactivated or destroyed.

How LSD has become a challenge for India?

India is the world’s largest milk producer and it also has the largest number of cattle and buffalo worldwide.

The disease has reduced the milk supply which will affect the dairy sector in India.

It will also affect the livelihoods of smaller poultry farmers.

What is the government doing to control the disease?

Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has suggested a few measures to control the disease. It includes vaccination of the cattle with more than 80% coverage, controlling the movement of animals, etc.

The government has informed that Goat Pox Vaccine is very effective against LSD. It is being used across affected States to contain the spread.

The affected States have put bans on the movement of cattle.  They are also isolating infected cattle and buffaloes, spraying insecticides to kill vectors like mosquitoes, etc.

Some affected States are also setting up dedicated control rooms and helpline numbers to guide farmers whose cattle have been infected.

The government has also come up with vaccine – https://forumias.com/blog/lumpi-provacind-vaccine-how-icars-new-vaccine-against-lumpy-skin-disease-the-viral-infection-killing-indias-cattle-will-work/