Frequently Asked Questions on Lumpy Skin Disease

Frequently Asked Questions on Lumpy Skin Disease

K.L. Dahiya¹ & Rajesh Kumar Singh²

¹Veterinary Surgeon, Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Haryana; ²Livestock & Poultry Consultant), Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India

• What is Lumpy skin disease?

Ans.:        Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a viral disease which is characterized by nodular formation on the skin along with high fever, due to which this disease is also called nodular skin disease.

• What is the aetiology of LSD?

Ans.:        LSD is caused by the lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), a virus from the family Poxviridae is a member of the capripoxvirus genus of the subfamily Chordopoxvirinae. Its replicating strains (prototype strains) are known as the ‘Neethling’ poxvirus (OIE 2002, Coetzer et al. 2018).

• What animals are affected with LSD?

Ans.:        Mainly LSD affects cattle of all ages and both sexes but buffaloes are also affected by this disease (Weiss 1968, OIE 2002, El-Nahas et al. 2011, Coetzer et al. 2018). Although, sometimes only mildly affects adult animals however, more pronounced and severe symptoms occur in their calves (Le Roux 1945). The disease is more prevalent in exotic animals such as Holstein-Friesian and crossbred dairy cattle with thin skin and high milk production as compared to indigenous cattle. Dairy cattle are most severely affected during the peak production period (OIE 2002, Coetzer et al. 2018).

• Are there any LSD cases in sheep and goat?

Ans.:        There are no reports of LSD in sheep and goats or their epidemiological involvement in the disease, despite being kept close to cattle. 

• What is the risk of LSD in wildlife?

Ans.:        Yes, wild animals particularly the deer and antelope have found susceptible to the LSDV.

• How does LSD transmitted?

Ans.:        LSD is transmitted in the following ways:

• Transmission of the disease mainly occurs in warm and humid climates through hematophagous insects such as Aedes aegypti (especially female mosquitoes), Stomoxys flies and Ripicephalus (Boophilus) ticks (Coetzer et al. 2018).
• LSDV has also been isolated from apparently diseased bull semen (Weiss 1968, Irons et al. 2005, Sudhakar et al. 2020) and transmission of LSDV through artificial insemination has also been shown experimentally (Annandale et al. 2014).
• Transmission of the LSDV can also usually occur through infected saliva in the mangers and drinking water troughs (Coetzer et al. 2018).
• The disease is transmitted through infected milk to suckling calves and infected cows have also been reported to give birth to calves with skin lesions (Coetzer et al. 2018).
• The disease can also be spread to other animals through the use of contaminated needles during vaccination or injection (Coetzer et al. 2018).
• Where LSD was first found?

Ans.:        LSD was first first time reported in Zambia of Africa in 1929.

• Where LSD can be found frequently?

Ans.:        The disease is endemic in most African countries. Since 2013 it has spread rapidly through the Middle East, south-east Europe and West and Central Asia. Since 2019, several outbreaks of LSD have been reported in Asia, and recently, south-east Asia.

• Where LSD was first time reported in India?

Ans.:        In August 2019, first time in Odisha State, India and spread to other states, causing outbreaks in cattle in Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal States during August-December, 2019 (Singh 2019, Sudhakar et al. 2022).

• In which season are LSD outbreaks most frequent?

Ans.:        LSD is mainly transmitted through blood-sucking insects, which are most commonly found during the rainy season.

• How much loss is likely to be caused to the nation by LSD?

Ans.:        There is no research-based assessment of the economic losses caused by LSD, yet the damage caused by this disease can be estimated from the fact that once infected, there is a sharp decline in the milk production of the milch animals. Broadly speaking, if it is said that the milk production of an animal yeilding 10 kg of milk remains 2 – 3 kg. If seen in this way, the possibility of loss of Rs 300-400 per day can be expressed due to decline of milk from the afflicted animal. 1 to 5 percent of the affected animals die from this disease.

• What are the symptoms in animals infected with this disease?

Ans.:        The incubation period of LSD is 8-15 days after LSDV has entered the body until the initial symptom is fever (Coetzer & Tuppurainen 2004).

• High fever (105.8°F) early in the disease and swollen lymph nodes as well as visible nodules all over the body skin, especially on the head, neck, muzzle, udder, anus and perineum between the testicles or vulva. Sometimes the whole body is covered with nodules. Nodules can also be necrotic and ulcerative, increasing the risk of infection by flies in other healthy animals.
• With decreased milk production, the animal may be lethargic, anorectic, rhinitis, conjunctivitis and excess salivation. Later the discharge from the nostrils turns white/brown.
• In severely affected animals, necrotic lesions may also develop in the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract.
• The formation of nodules in the respiratory tract leads to difficulty in breathing and death of the affected animal within 10 days. Abortion can also occur in pregnant animals.
• How long does LSD last?

Ans.:        Depending on the health management, the duration of disease may be more than a month.

• What is the first aid treatment for animals affected with LSD?

Ans.:        Wash the parts of the body where the nodules have seen on the skin of the animals affected with LSD, with neem leaves water decoction or apply coconut oil. It is also effective in the swelling of skin. Farmers are advised to isolate the affected animals.

• If there are wounds in the body of a cow, how to treat it?

Ans.:        The wounds should be cleaned thoroughly with KMnO4 solution (0.1%) and zinc oxide ointment, acriflavin or tincture iodine or neem leaf paste may be applied.

• What precautions should be taken while administering allopathic treatment to an animal suffering with LSD?

Ans.:        Overuse of drugs should not be administered and also avoid the use of immunosuressive drugs in the early phase of LSD. It has been seen under field conditions that the animals which were given excessive drugs in the initial stage of the disease, instead of reducing the problems, the condition further aggrieved and the recovery period also increased.

• Is there any Ethnoveterinary treatment for LSD?

Ans.:        As it is established that LSD is a viral disease, there is no exact treatment, yet the ethnoveterinary remedies listed below have been found effective in the management of the disease:

• Make a paste by mixing 10 betel leaves, 10 grams black pepper and 10 grams salt. Now mix jaggery in it. Feed this one dose every three hours on the first day and then thrice a day for the next 2 weeks (Punniamurthy).
• Blend Garlic (2 pearls), coriander (10 g), cumin (10 g), holy basil leaves (1 handful), dry cinnamon leaves (10 grams), black pepper (10 g), betel leaves (5), shallots ( 2 pieces), turmeric powder (10 g), Chirata leaf powder (30 g), Sweet basil leaves (1 handful), neem leaves (1 handful), bilva leaves (1 handful) etc. to form paste and mix with 100 g jaggery Feed it with jaggery every three hours on the first day and then feed it twice a day till the disease is cured (Punniamurthy).
• Grind 10 g Giloy vine, 5 g black pepper, 10 g carom seeds, 10 g salt, 10 g jaggery and feed the animal in the morning and evening till recovery.

Note:     Use only one of the above recipes as per your veterinarian’s advice.

One of the following home remedies can be used as per the advice of a veterinarian to treat wounds due to bursted nodules on the skin:

• Make a paste by mixing green acalypha leaves (1 handful), garlic (10 pearls), neem leaves (1 handful), turmeric powder (20 grams), henna leaves (1 handful) and basil leaves (1 handful) for skin wounds. Now mix it in 500 ml coconut or sesame oil and boil it on low flame and keep it to cool. Before applying the paste, clean the wounds thoroughly and then apply directly on the affected skin (Punniamurthy).
• If maggots are seen in the wounds, then on the first day apply a paste of custard apple leaves or coconut oil mixed with camphor.
• Take one one Kg of fresh neem leaves in 4 liters of water, boil it on low flame till one-fourth of the water remains, keep it to cool and wash the wounds thrice a day.
• What are the differential diagnoses for LSD?

Ans.:        Although, LSD is highly characteristic, but milder forms can be confused with Bovine herpes mammillitis (bovine herpesvirus 2), Bovine papular stomatitis (parapoxvirus), Pseudocowpox (parapoxvirus), Vaccinia virus and Cowpox virus (orthopoxviruses), Dermatophilosis, Demodicosis, Insect or tick bites, Besnoitiosis, Rinderpest, Hypoderma bovis infestation, Photosensitisation, Urticaria, Cutaneous tuberculosis and Onchocercosis (Martin 1981).

• Do recovered animals become carriers for LSD?

Ans.:        There is no known carrier state. Once an animal has recovered, it is well protected and cannot be the source of infection for other animals. In infected animals that do not show clinical signs, the virus may remain in blood for a few weeks and eventually disappear. 

• Is it possible to prevent this disease by vaccination?

Ans.:        Although, no specific vaccine for LSD is yet available in the market, the LSD homologous vaccine ‘Goatpox Vaccine’ is being approved by the government for alternative use to control the disease. More recently, ICAR-National Research Center on Equine (ICAR-NRCE), Hisar (Haryana) in collaboration with ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Izzatnagar, Uttar Pradesh has developed a vaccine Lumpi-ProVac^Ind (ICAR 2022).

• Do animals get immediate benefits from vaccination?

Ans.:        No, animals develop immunity about 14 days after being vaccinated. Therefore, till then it is necessary to keep the animals separate from the affected animals and protect them from flies and birds.

• What are the benefits of LSD vaccination?

Ans.:     Following are the benefits of Vaccination in the livestock:

• Vaccination is the most effective tool for LSD control and potential eradication.
• It is easier to implement and more effective than other measures (i.e. stamping out) and, in most cases, is less costly.
• It reduces the total number of susceptible animals within the population, thus preventing entry (in the case of preventive vaccination) and spread of the disease.
• It protects the animals from getting infected with LSD, thus preventing direct and indirect economic losses.

• What do you mean by homologous and heterologous LSD vaccines?

Ans.:        Homologous vaccine refers to a vaccine that contains live attenuated Neethling-type LSDV as a vaccine seed. Heterologous vaccine refers to a vaccine that contains either live attenuated sheep or goat pox virus and the vaccine is used to protect cattle against LSDV. 

• My LSD affected animal’s feed and water intake is normal, but the nodules on its body have started bursting and there have been maggots in the wounds, what to do?

Ans.:        In LSD disease, erupting skin nodules indicate a chronic disease condition. It is very important to keep such animal clean regularly. For this, first of all, the affected animal should be bathed with clean water for 5-10 minutes and when the skinned nodules become soft, remove them by rubbing with light pressure of the hand with a soft cloth, and apply antiseptic and insect repellent on the wounds. Do this twice a day, morning and evening. If there are maggots in the wounds, remove them. Make sure to keep the affected animal away from flies. 

• What to do to protect healthy animals from LSD?

Ans.:        The following measures can be taken to protect healthy animals from LSD:

• If there is a report of LSD in a neighborhood animal or farm, put a mosquito net to protect your animals from mosquitoes, flies, and flying and biting insects. Use insect-repellent drugs, if necessary.
• Keep sick animals isolated from healthy animals.
• Care should be taken to avoid buying or selling sick animals to prevent transmission from one place to another.
• Materials used in the examination and treatment of sick animals should not be thrown in the open.
• Animals showing any unusual symptoms in or around your own animals should be reported immediately to the nearest veterinary hospital.
• Persons caring for healthy animals should stay away from infected animals and should pay attention to the personnel hygiene.
• Persons caring for infected animals should stay away from healthy animals or take care of other healthy animals only by changing clothes after bathing.
• There should be proper arrangement for the cleanliness of the animals, the floor and walls should be cleaned thoroughly and sprayed with 2% phenyl or iodized solution (1: 33).
• Utensils and other useful items used for animals should be disinfected regularly.
• If an animal dies of LSD, it should be taken away and buried in a deep pit.
• Bulls recovering from this disease should not be used for insemination. If it is to be done, then their blood and semen should be tested in the laboratory. Their semen should be used for insemination only if the results are negative and the lab recommends using their semen, otherwise not. 

• How should animals that die from LSD be disposed of?

Ans.:        If an animal infected with LSD dies, its body must be disposed of properly so that the disease does not spread further. Therefore, after the death of the animal, it should be deep buried in the ground.

• Can LSD be transmitted to humans as well?

Ans.:        To date, LSD virus has not been reported from animals to humans by The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE 2002) but following widespread outbreaks of LSD in cattle in Cairo and Egypt during 2018–2019, there have been sporadic outbreaks of LSD virus in humans and anthropogenic transmission has been found (Kamal 2019). 

• Is it safe to consume the milk of a cattle affected with LSD?

Ans.:        Although, no case of transmission of the disease from animals suffering to LSD to humans has been reported so far, but still, veterinarians are advising caution. According to experts, milk should be heated or boiled to at least 100°C. This method is enough to kill other pathogenic bacteria and viruses present in the milk.

 References

1. Annandale, C.H., Holm, D.E., Ebersohn, K. and Venter, E.H., 2014. Seminal transmission of lumpy skin disease virus in heifers. Transboundary and emerging diseases, 61(5), pp.443-448.
2. Coetzer, J.A.W, Tuppurainen, E., Babiuk, S. and Wallace, D. 2018. Lumpy Skin Disease. In book: Infectious Diseases of Livestock, Part IIPublisher: Anipedia.
3. Coetzer, J.A.W. and Tuppurainen, E., 2004. Lumpy skin disease. Infectious diseases of livestock, 2, pp.1268-1276.
4. El-Nahas, E.M., El-Habbaa, A., El-Bagoury, G. and Radwan, M.E., 2011. Isolation and identification of lumpy skin disease virus from naturally infected buffaloes at Kaluobia, Egypt. Global Veterinaria, 7(3), pp.234-237.
5. ICAR, 2022. Agrinnovate India Limited (AgIn) grants “Non-Exclusive Rights”. for Commercial production of “Lumpi-ProVacind” jointly developed by ICAR-NRC Equines and ICAR-IVRI to Biovet Pvt. Ltd. Indian Council of Agricultural Research. [Web Reference]
6. Irons, P.C., Tuppurainen, E.S.M. and Venter, E.H., 2005. Excretion of lumpy skin disease virus in bull semen. Theriogenology, 63(5), pp.1290-1297.
7. Kamal, S.A., 2019. Comparative studies on lumpy skin disease virus in human. Medical and Clinical Archives, 3, pp.1-8.
8. Le Roux, P.L., 1945. Notes on the probable cause, prevention and treatments of pseudo-urticaria and associated septic conditions in cattle. Northern Rhodesia Department of Animal Health, Newsletter, pp.1-4.
9. Martin, W.B., 1981. Lumpy skin disease and pseudo-lumpy skin disease. In Diseases of Cattle in the Tropics (pp. 167-179). Springer, Dordrecht. [Web Reference]
10. OIE, 2002, LUMPY SKIN DISEASE – Aetiology Epidemiology Diagnosis Prevention and Control References. P. 5.
11. Punniamurthy N., Ethnoveterinary formulation for Lumpy Skin Disease For oral administrations. National dairy Development Board. [Web Reference]
12. Singh, R.K., 2019. OUTBREAK OF LUMPY SKIN DISEASE (LSD) IN CATTLE IN CHHOTANAGPUR PLATEAU REGION (INDIA). Pashudhan Praharee. August 31, 2019.
13. Sudhakar, S.B., Mishra, N., Kalaiyarasu, S., Jhade, S.K., Hemadri, D., Sood, R., Bal, G.C., Nayak, M.K., Pradhan, S.K. and Singh, V.P., 2020. Lumpy skin disease (LSD) outbreaks in cattle in Odisha state, India in August 2019: Epidemiological features and molecular studies. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases.
14. Weiss, K.E., 1968. Lumpy skin disease virus. In Cytomegaloviruses. Rinderpest Virus. Lumpy Skin Disease Virus (pp. 111-131). Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg.