Cattle with lumpy skin are susceptible to a contagious viral disease that frequently manifests as an epidemic. The condition is characterised by the development of skin nodules, which may cover the entire body of the affected animal. Pyrexia, anorexia, dysgalactia, and pneumonia are among the systemic consequences; lesions are frequently detected in the mouth and upper respiratory tract. Between breeds and strains of cattle, the disease’s severity varies greatly. Humans cannot get affected by the disease
The lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), a member of the genus Capripoxvirus of the family Poxviridae, is responsible for lumpy skin disease (LSD). The other two virus species in this genus are the sheeppox virus and the goatpox virus. This is marked by viremia, nodules on the skin, the development of sit-fasts, weight loss, emaciation, and a decrease in the production of milk and meat.
Transmission happens in a wide range of biotypes, including irrigated land, semi-desert, and temperate grasslands. It has the capacity to increase the length of its range. The fatality rates of 1 to 5% are regarded typical, while the morbidity rates for LSD during outbreaks range from 10 to 20%, though it has been reported that they can reach as high as 45% in some regions.
Early index case detection and a quick, comprehensive immunisation effort are essential for the control and elimination of LSD. In the absence of vaccination, it is unlikely that whole and partial stamping-out campaigns, which involve slaughtering all clinically infected and unaffected herd mates, will completely eradicate LSD. There is no known carrier state. Once it has recovered, an animal is well-protected and unable to infect other species. The virus may linger in blood for a few weeks in infected animals that do not exhibit clinical symptoms before eventually going away.