PREVENTIVE MEASURES TO CONTROL LUMPY SKIN DISEASE
Dr. Rajni Arora (Assistant Professor), Dr. Naushali Gujar (MVSc scholar)
Department of LPM, CVAS, BIKANER
Abstract
Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) is a disease affecting cattle which causes fever, depression, skin nodules and oedema, enlarged lymph nodes, also nodules on the mucous membranes, nasal and ocular discharges, milk drop, swellings in the leg and lameness. The disease has considerable economic impact due to production losses (e.g. milk drop, reduced quality of skins, Abortions in various animals) have also been documented. The clinical diagnosis is confirmed by laboratory testing of blood samples and tissue samples from the skin lesions. There is no permanent treatment for this virus-based disease; Preventive measures can improve the level of protection of your herd from Lumpy Skin Disease and other infectious diseases. This article is structured in the shape of a brief overview of transmission, symptoms, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and preparedness of and for LSD virus.
Introduction
Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) is a disease affecting cattle which causes fever, depression, skin nodules and oedema, enlarged lymph nodes, also nodules on the mucous membranes, nasal and ocular discharges, milk drop, swellings in the leg and lameness. The clinical signs are more severely expressed in milking cows during the peak of the lactation and in young calves. The virus is mainly mechanically transmitted by insect vectors (mosquitoes,
flies, ticks, etc.) or by contaminated needles. Some of these could potentially be brought
from an infected area on the wind or within vehicles. The main underlying factor of this viral outbreak is assumed to be rapid rise in the illegal trading of infectious animals.
The virus is not transmissible to humans. Skin nodules with 5-50 mm size (with round shape, raising above the skin) usually appear 2 days after the start of fever, on the skin of the head, neck, udder, genitalia, perineum, limbs. The nodules can cover the entire body or only few can appear. The nodules can disappear or ulcerate leaving scars. The clinical diagnosis is confirmed by laboratory testing of blood samples and tissue samples from the skin lesions. Despite the fact that there is no permanent treatment for this virus-based disease, animals can still be saved by receiving the appropriate veterinary care, such as painkillers, fluids, and antibiotics to control secondary bacterial infections, applying fly repellent to wounds to prevent the growth of maggots, vaccination, isolation or quarantine of sick animals, and providing clean, disinfected water and high-quality food and possible biosecurity measures.
Preventive measures
Following preventive measures including bio-security measures, vaccination of animal and awareness campaign should be implemented immediately to prevent future LSD Incidences.
Bio-security measures
- Immediate isolation of sick animal from the healthy animals. Symptomatic treatment of affected animals may be carried out with all precautions and biosecurity measures. Feeding of liquid feed, soft feed and fodder is recommended.
- Clinical surveillance against LSD in affected districts and around surrounding villages should be intensified.
- The animals should be kept separately till complete recovery of the affected animals, if reared together.
- Disinfection of premises at regular intervals. Affected Premises, vehicles plying through the affected animal holdings should be carried out with appropriate chemicals/disinfectants [Ether (20%), chloroform, formalin (1%), phenol (2% /15 minutes), sodium hypochlorite (2- 3%), iodine compounds (1:33 dilution) and quaternary ammonium compounds (0.5%)].
- Ecto-parasiticide should also be applied to healthy animals on the infected and on surrounding farms.
- The persons dealing with the infected animal should wear gloves and face masks and carry out hygienic and disinfection measures at all times.
- Care should be taken to report any unusual sickness of other animals to the nearest veterinary Hospital/Dispensary.
- Hygiene practices should be followed at the animal farm and by the people in areas where animals are infected.
- Farms with affected animals should be visited regularly by field veterinarians until all the cases are recovered. The veterinary staff should take all precautionary hygiene measures to avoid the further spread of disease to other farms/households.
- In case of mortality, carcass should be disposed of by deep burial method observing all hygienic measures.
- Cattle markets located within 10 km radius of the epicentre of infection should be closed.
- Trade of live cattle, participation in fairs, and shows should be banned immediately upon confirmation of the disease in the affected areas.
- Semen from LSD-affected animals should not be collected and processed for production and distribution.
- Waste disposal including feed, fodder and dead animal to be followed as per scientific method with marking and displayed safety guidelines Insecticides spray and fogging to be undertaken in the animal sheds, common grazing area, veterinary hospital and dispensaries, animal gathering spots and animal movement tracks to control vectors like mosquito, flies, ticks, fleas etc.
- Monitoring of pastures, grazing area, water bodies, feed and fodder to prevent contamination by infected animal
- Infected feed, fodder and bedding material should not be used and disposed scientifically
- Milk collection centers should educate the farmers at the time of milk collection and ensure healthy milk collection without mixing of the milk of infected animals. The consumption and transport of raw milk of infected animal should be discouraged
Vaccination:
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- The infected area are identified so that precautionary plans are carried out in a specific area and ring vaccination carried out in villages up to 5 km around the affected area. However, affected animals should not be vaccinated.
- The staff and vaccinators should be trained for vaccination drive including storage and preparation of vaccine, dosing and injection and identification of animal.
- Control of vector population (ticks, flies, mosquitoes, fleas, midges) in the premises and the animal body should be carried out using insecticide, repellents and other chemical agents.
Awareness campaign
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- Mass awareness campaign to be taken up to make the public aware of the disease and report to the veterinary authority immediately when suspected cases are detected. This will help in prevention and control of LSD.
- Regular training and sensitization of veterinarians including awareness to animal owners and other stake holders should be enhanced on clinical presentation of the disease along with surveillance strategy and control measures. Stray animals to be monitored regularly and the affected animals should be isolated under veterinary care with the help of municipal and administrative authorities.
Conclusion:
- Despite the fact that there is no permanent treatment for this virus-based disease, animals can still be saved by receiving the appropriate veterinary care, such as painkillers, fluids, and antibiotics to control secondary bacterial infections, applying fly repellent to wounds to prevent the growth of maggots, vaccination, isolation or quarantine of sick animals, and providing clean, disinfected water and high-quality food. Strict implementation of advisories and strict implementation of preventive measures can be followed to control spread of lumpy skin disease.
