Lumpy skin disease is caused by the lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), a member of the genus Capri poxvirus (CaPV) within the family Poxviridae. The disease has been reported in several Indian states like Assam, Odisha, Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, etc.

Symptoms of Lumpy disease

Outbreak:-

In India, which has the world’s highest 303 million heads of cattle, the disease has spread to 15 states within just 16 months. In fact, in August 2019, when the first outbreak of LSD was reported from Odisha, five districts were grappling with the exotic cattle pox.   

Transmission:-

  • Transmission of virus occurs through movements of cattle. Infected animals showing lesions in the skin and mucous membranes of the mouth and nasal cavities excrete infectious LSDV in saliva, as well as in nasal and ocular discharges, which may contaminate shared feeding and drinking sites
  • The virus persists in the semen of infected bulls so that natural mating or artificial insemination may be a source of infection for females. Infected pregnant cows are known to deliver calves with skin lesions. The virus may be transmitted to suckling calves through infected milk, or from skin lesions in the teats

Symptoms:-

  • Initial symptoms – Lachrymation and nasal discharge.
  • Subscapular and prefemoral lymph nodes become enlarged and are easily palpable.
  • High fever (>40.50C) may persist for approximately a week
  • Appearance of highly characteristic, nodular skin lesions of 10-50 mm in diameter the number of lesions varies from a few in mild cases to multiple
    lesions in severely infected animals. Predilection sites are the skin of the head, neck, perineum, genitalia, udder and limbs. Skin nodules may persist for several months.
  • Sometimes, painful ulcerative lesions develop in the cornea of one or both eyes, leading to blindness in worst cases.
  • Pneumonia caused by the virus itself or secondary bacterial infections, and mastitis are common complications.

Prevention:-

  • In affected villages, cattle herds should be kept separate from other herds by avoiding communal grazing.
  • Cattle should be treated regularly with insect repellents to minimize the risk of vector transmission of the disease. This measure cannot fully prevent transmission but may reduce the risk.

Limiting vector breeding sites such as standing water sources, slurry and manure, and improving drainage in holdings are sustainable, affordable and environmentally friendly ways of reducing the number of vectors on and around cattle

Treatment:-

  • Since it is a viral disease, it has no specific treatment
  • Secondary treatment should be done –
    • Antibiotics:
      1. In Uncomplicated cases Enrocarus
      2. In complicated cases AMC Forte
    • Anti-Allergic injections eg. Chlorpheniramine Maleate
  • NSAID (Fluxivet)
  • Multivitamin Injection : Mecovet
  • Oral tonics like Bovibest-H and Bovimin-GL for faster recovery

Vaccines:-

As per the available information, Orissa and Kerala used goat pox vaccine (e.g., Goat Pox Vaccine, Live, Uttarkashi strain). Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) is validating the use of the goat pox vaccine ( e.g. feasibility, effectiveness, and optimal dose in cattle) for control of LSD, and reports are awaited. Assam Agricultural University is likely to facilitate the validation in Assam.  (REF.BY-Vet Helpline India (p) Ltd)                   

Dr. Amit Singh Chauhan

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