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Home / IAS Preparation / Lumpy Skin Disease

Lumpy Skin Disease - A Threat to Cattle and Dairy Industry in India

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Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a contagious viral disease that affects cattle, water buffalo, and other cloven-hoofed animals. It is caused by the lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), which is a member of the Capripoxvirus genus. LSDV is transmitted through direct contact with infected animals, or through indirect contact with contaminated objects or vectors such as mosquitoes, ticks, and biting flies.

Lumpy Skin Disease is one of the most important topics for the UPSC IAS exam. It covers a significant part of the Science and technology subject in the General Studies Paper-3 syllabus.

What is Lumpy Skin Disease? 

Lumpy skin disease is a viral disease that affects cattle. Here are the main points to know about this disease: It is caused by the lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), which belongs to the poxvirus family. The virus is spread by insects like flies and mosquitoes.

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Causes and Transmission of Lumpy Skin Disease

Here are the key causes and modes of transmission for lumpy skin disease in cattle:

Causes

  • The disease is caused by the lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), which belongs to the poxvirus family.
  • The LSDV infects only cattle and water buffalo. It does not pose a risk to humans.

Transmission

  • The most common mode of transmission is through bites from infected blood-feeding insects like flies and mosquitoes. These insects act as mechanical vectors, spreading the virus as they feed on infected cattle and then bite healthy animals.
  •  Direct contact between infected and healthy cattle also facilitates transmission. This can occur through sharing grazing areas, water sources, equipment and facilities.
  •  Indirect contact with contaminated surfaces, equipment and clothing used on infected animals can spread the virus to healthy cattle. The virus can survive for weeks on these fomites.
  • Vertical transmission from infected cows to their calves has also been reported, though it is relatively uncommon.
  • Transmission by aerosol or respiratory droplets likely plays a minimal role in spreading lumpy skin disease. The virus is primarily spread through vectors and direct/indirect contact.
  •  Wildlife species like buffalo can act as reservoir hosts, harboring the virus and facilitating its transmission to domestic cattle herds.

Read the article Lymphatic Filariasis.

Is this a Zoonotic virus?
  • Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), which causes lumpy skin disease in cattle, is not considered a zoonotic virus. Some additional details:
  • Zoonotic viruses are viruses that can spread from animals to humans. They pose a risk of spill-over infections from animal hosts to people.
  • While lumpy skin disease primarily affects cattle and water buffalo, there is currently no convincing evidence that LSDV can infect or cause illness in humans.

 How does Lumpy Skin Disease spread? 

Lumpy Skin Disease spreads in different ways. One way is through direct contact with infected animals. When a healthy animal comes in contact with an infected animal, the virus can pass from one animal to another. This can happen when they touch each other or when they share the same space, like a barn or a field.

Another way Lumpy Skin Disease spreads is through contaminated objects. For example, if an infected animal touches a feeding trough, water bucket, or any other object, the virus can stay on that object. Then, when a healthy animal touches or uses that object, it can become infected too.

Insects, like flies and mosquitoes, also play a role in spreading Lumpy Skin Disease. These insects can bite infected animals and then bite healthy animals, transferring the virus from one to the other. This is called mechanical transmission because the insects carry the virus on their bodies.

It is important to remember that Lumpy Skin Disease does not spread from animals to humans. So, if you have a pet cow or if you work with cows, you don't need to worry about getting sick from Lumpy Skin Disease. However, it's still important to take precautions and prevent the disease from spreading among cows to keep them healthy.

Study the Article on Malaria for UPSC Exam.

What is the Geographical distribution? 

Lumpy skin disease mainly affects cattle in Africa and parts of Asia:

  • Lumpy skin disease likes warm places. It mostly happens in areas that get hot weather year-round.
  • In Africa, lumpy skin disease is found in many countries. It has been in Africa for a long time. It happens a lot in South Africa and parts of East Africa like Kenya and Tanzania.
  • In Asia, lumpy skin disease started spreading more recently. It showed up first in the Middle East, in places like Israel, Turkey and Pakistan. From there it spread to other Asian countries further east. Now India, Bangladesh and China also have lumpy skin disease in their cattle.
  • Lumpy skin disease also likes places where many types of insects live. Flies and mosquitoes help spread the virus that causes lumpy skin disease. More insects means a higher chance for cows to catch the virus.

These conditions are found in many parts of Africa and Asia, so that is where lumpy skin disease is distributed geographically. But other warm places with good conditions for insects could get lumpy skin disease too.

That's the basic geographical distribution of lumpy skin disease in simple terms - it mainly affects cattle in warm parts of Africa and Asia currently, especially where lots of insects live alongside cattle herds.

Read the article about Difference Between Dengue and Malaria here.

Lumpy Skin Disease: Spread in India Why India is at higher risk?
  • India has a large number of informal livestock markets, where animals are often traded without being properly inspected. This increases the risk of disease transmission.
  • India has a poor animal health infrastructure. This means that there are limited resources available to diagnose and treat LSD, and to prevent the spread of the disease.
  • India has a large number of nomadic herders, who move their animals between different regions. This can facilitate the spread of LSD to new areas.
  • The 2022 LSD outbreak in India was the worst in the country's history. The outbreak affected more than 15 states and resulted in the deaths of over 1.5 lakh cattle. The outbreak was particularly severe in Rajasthan, where over 50,000 cattle died.

Government Initiatives

There are several government initiatives in India and other affected countries to control and prevent the spread of lumpy skin disease in cattle:

Vaccination campaigns: The most important measure is vaccinating susceptible cattle with the goat pox vaccine which provides protection against lumpy skin disease virus. Governments are organizing mass vaccination drives and making vaccines available at subsidized rates.

Movement restrictions: Movement of cattle from affected to unaffected areas is being restricted or regulated through issuances of transit passes and health certificates. Intra-state and inter-state movement of animals is being monitored.

 Quarantine and isolation: Infected and suspect cattle are being quarantined to contain the spread. Diseased animals are being isolated from healthy ones.

Culling of infected animals: In severe situations, governments are resorting to culling and safe disposal of heavily infected and contagious cattle to control the outbreak. Compensation is provided to farmers for culled animals.

Vector control: Chemical and physical control of insect vectors like flies and mosquitoes is being undertaken near cattle farms and in affected villages. Use of insecticides, repellents, traps, etc. are encouraged.

Public awareness campaigns: Governments are creating awareness about the disease through various media to educate farmers about symptoms, prevention measures and where to report suspect cases. Advisory helplines have been created.

 Aid to farmers: Financial relief in form of subsidies, tax waivers, insurance payouts, etc. is being provided to farmers whose cattle have been infected or died due to the disease. Loans at low interest rates are also being disbursed.

Collaboration with vets and researchers: Governments are collaborating with veterinary professionals, research institutes and organizations to gain more insights about the current outbreak, devise control strategies and expedite development of improved vaccines.

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Lumpy Skin Disease FAQs

Lumpy Skin Disease can be prevented through vaccination of cattle, maintaining good hygiene and biosecurity measures, and controlling insect vectors.

It is generally safe to consume milk from cows with Lumpy Skin Disease after it has been pasteurized. Pasteurization kills the virus and makes the milk safe for consumption.

The common symptoms of Lumpy Skin Disease in cows include the formation of lumps or nodules on the skin, fever, nasal and ocular discharge, enlarged lymph nodes, reduced milk production, and weakness.

The recovery period for cows infected with Lumpy Skin Disease can vary. It usually takes several weeks for the cows to recover with proper care and treatment.

No, Lumpy Skin Disease does not infect humans. It only affects cattle and other bovine animals.
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