An Update on LUMPY SKIN DISEASE so far in India
Dr. Tanya Singh, Dr Rakesh Dangi, Dr Supnesh Jain and Dr. Rahul Patidar
Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an infectious eruptive occasionally fatal disease of cattle characterised by nodules formation on the skin. It is transmitted by blood feeding insects such as flies and mosquitoes or ticks. It is caused by capripox virus of poxviridae family.
LSD has recently spread in Asia following outbreaks in Middle east and Europe. The disease emerged in Bangladesh in July 2019. India too saw the first case of LSD in the same year in States especially West Bengal and Odisha.
First LSD was reported in Gujarat and it has spread to eight States /union Territories now. Over 1.85 lakh cattle have been affected so far and more than 7,300 cattle have died since the outbreak of disease in July. The mortality rate of LSD is 1-2% and it is not zoonotic. Currently a vaccination drive is underway and 17.92 lakh cattle have been vaccinated so far in these states. There are strict measures were taken in country to prevent the spread of disease by restriction of movement, isolation of affected animals, monitoring of stray animals besides safe disposal of carcass.
