Introduction to lumpy virus

1. Lumpy skin disease (LSD) caused by the lumpy skin disease
virus (LSDV). It is an vector born disease of cattle and Asian
water buffalo that causes a substantial economic losses. The
disease associated with the appearance of skin nodules that
may cover the entire body of animal during severe infection.
Once the disease introduced it lead to significant income
losses for farmers brought about by decreased milk
production, damaged hides , emaciation of animals , infertility
and abortions . This results in subsequent trade bans or other
movement restrictions in affected countries place economic
strain on the cattle industry , severely impacting on all actors
along the value chain.

2. CHARACTERISTICS OF DISEASE
The disease is characterized by fever, enlarged superficial lymph nodes
and multiple nodules (measuring 2-5 centimeters (1-2 in) in diameter) on
the skin and mucus membranes (including those of the respiratory and
gastrointestinal tracts). Infected cattle also may develop edematous
swelling in their limbs and exhibit lameness.
Apart from foot-and-mouth disease (FMP)LSD is one of the economically
most important viral diseases of cattle and Asian water buffaloes since
rinderpest was eradicated globally.

3. Lumpy skin disease virus also know as Neethling virus.The LSDV belongs to
the genus Capripoxvirus within the Poxviridae family and shares high
antigenic similarities with the sheeppox virus (SSPV) and the goatpox
virus(GTPV), two other members of this genus. While SSPV and GTPV
serologically crossreact with LSDV, they do not cause disease in species
other than their respective host
CLASSIFICATION OF VIRUS
(Unranked): Virus
Kingdom: Bamfordvirae
Phylum: Nucleocytovirae
Class: Pokkesviricetes
Order: Chitoviricetes
Family: Poxiviridae
Genus: Capripoxvirus
Species: Lumpy skin disease virus
STRUCTURE:
Lumpy skin disease virus (LSVD) is double standard DNA virus. The average
size of virus is 320nm by 260 nm.

4. GENOME:
The virus has a 151-kbp genome, consisting of a central coding region which
is bounded by identical 2.4 kbp-inverted terminal repeats and contains
156genes. These genes encode proteins which are involved in transcription
and mRNA biogenesis, nucleotides metabolism, DNA replication, protein
processing, virion structure and assembly, and viral virulence and host range.
With in the central genomic region, LSVD share a high degree of collinearity
and amino acid identity with the genes of other mammalian poxviruses.In
terminal regions, however, collinearity is interrupted. In these regions,
poxvirus homologues are either absent or share a lower percentage of amino
acids identify. LSDV contains homologues of interleukin-10(IL-10),IL-1 binding
proteins, G protein- coupled CC chemokine receptor,and epidermal growth
factor-like protein, which are found in other poxvirus genera.
THE HOST :

5. HISTORY:
Lumpy skin disease was first seen as an epidemic in Zambia in 1929.Initially,
it was thought to be result of either poisoning or a hypersensitivity to insect
bites. Additional cases ,occurred between 1943 and 1945 in Botswana,
Zimbabwe, and the republic of South Africa. Approximately, 8 million cattle
affectedinpanzooticinfectioninSouthAfricain1949anditspreadthroughout
Africa between the 1950s and 1980s.
In 1989 there was an LSD outbreak in Israel. This outbreak was the first
instanceofLSDNorthSaharadesertandoutsideofAfricancontinent.LSDwas
first reported to the Bangladesh livestock departmet in July 2019. As a result
the result of the introduction of fall armyworm and this cattle plague within a
few months of each other, the FAO, the World Food Programme, Bangladesh
Government officials, and other agreed to begin improving Bangladesh
livestockdiseasesurveillanceandemergencyresponsecapabilities.Method
of entry of virus into Bangladesh remain unknown.
IN INDIA 2022

6. In 2022 a lumpy skin disease outbreak in Pakistan killed over 7000 cattle. In
India between July to September 2022 the Lumpy disease outbreak in India
resulted in the death of over 80,000 cattle. The state of Rajasthan has seen a
majority of the deaths. Inter -state and inter-district movement of cattle in a
number of state has been restricted. Indian Council of Agricultural Research
labs have undertaken creation of an vaccine in India.
India,15 states 251 districts (as on 23 Sept)[1]
97,000+cattle (as on 23 Sept)[1]
20,00,000 cattle (as on 23 Sept)[1]
1.66 crore (by 23 Sept)[1]

7. LSD is transmitted primarily mechanically by blood – feeding insects. Other
routes of spread are iatrogenic, through direct or indirect contact and
artificial insemination. Various flying and non -flying blood -feeding insects
can transmit LSDV mechanically and arthropod vectors vary by region.
The seasonal pattern of LSD in Africa, a well as in temperate zones support
an important role of vector involvement in LSD epidemiology. In countries
with warm winters there is less seasonality in vector transmission. As LSD
spread into new geographic and climatic regions, different vectors may
become more dominant in transmission; changes in seasonality should be
anticipates. While such flying vectors spread the virus at relatively slow
speed, e.g.7.3 km/week in the Balkans, transporting and walking animals

8. play an important role in long distance spread. Ticks may play a role in
maintaining LSDV during dry or cold seasons. Although do not move much,
Ticks-infested live animals on vehicles can transmit LSDV over long
distances. Some birds may also act as vectors for LSDV transmission in
Africa.
Each vector has a preferred environmental temperature, humidity and type of
vegetation. In Africa, the middle east and Europe, there is seasonality in LSD
incidence due to vectors begins less active during the dry season or cold
winters. However, there may be no vector- free season in some Asian countries
given prevalent climate conditions.
Fever occurs almost one week after infection by the virus. This initial
fever may exceed 41degree Celsius (106degree F) and persist for one

9. In general LSD control is based on:
1) Vaccination of susceptible populations with>80 % coverage.
2) Movement control of cattle and buffalo and quarantine.
3) Biosecurity and vector control.
4) Strengthening active and passive surveillance.
5) Awareness raising on risk mitigation among all stakeholders
involved.
6) Zoning- large protection and surveillance zones and vaccination
zones.
VACCINATION
Vaccination of cattle using vaccine with demonstrated efficacy is the
best option for controlling the spread of LSD, especially if pre- emptive.
Pre-emptive vaccination is highly recommended when LSD is detected
across borders in neighbouring countries. Emergency vaccination is an
immediate response to an outbreak in a country within the country It
must be performed immediately after detection of the first case.
Emergency vaccines can be applied in the form of barrier vaccines,
blanket vaccines, ring vaccines or targeted vaccination.
Vaccines:
Presently only live, attenuated vaccines are available against LSD virus.
There is ongoing research and development of inactivated vaccines.
Three groups of vaccines offer good protection against LSDV in cattle.
Attenuated LSDV vaccines:
Currently, there are three vaccine producers manufacturing attenuated
homologous LSDV vaccines. Live, attenuated LSDV vaccines provide
good protection in cattle if 80 percent coverage can be attained. There
is evidence of mild adverse effects of attenuated LSDV vaccines called
the ‘’Neethling response’’. At the same time, according to recent studies,
week. At this time, all of superficial lymph nodes become enlarged.
The nodules, in which the disease is characterized by, appear seven to
nineteen days after virus inoculation.

10. after vaccination with live attenuated Neethling LSD vaccine, there is
no significant change in mortality or milk production during the 30 days
post-vaccination and no difference between the pre- and post-
vaccination periods in routine culling, immediate culling and in-farm
mortality for those animals vaccinated for the first time (Morgenstern
and Klement, 2020).
CATTLE MOVEMENT CONTROL
Standstill and quarantine are the very first measures to be undertaken
quickly, especially at first detection of the disease in a country or region.
This also applies to at risk areas bordering neighbouring countries which
report LSD. Movement control zones should be kept as small as possible,
and clinical surveillance in at risk regions should be implemented.
VECTOR CONTROL
As a sole measure vector control cannot prevent infection or spread of
LSD but should be considered a supportive measure. Vector control can
be achieved by regular use of pouron repellents and insecticides for
cattle and buffaloes with other insect control systems in barns and farm
premises. It is important to select a repellent that is effective against
the local insect or tick species. Insecticide-impregnated netting is being
investigated as a way to reduce vector attacks on livestock and may be
helpful where husbandry systems make it practical.
AWARENESS
Efficient disease control is impossible without good cooperation among
farmers and other cattle value chain actors. Awareness campaigns
should be targeted at official and private veterinarians, both in the field
and in abattoirs, among veterinary students, farmers, herders, cattle
traders, cattle truck drivers and artificial inseminators. Cattle truck
drivers are in a particularly good position to identify infected animals on
farms, in slaughterhouses, or at cattle collection and resting stations
and to notify veterinary authorities about any clinical suspicion as soon
as possible (Tuppurainen, Alexandrov and Beltrán-Alcrudo, 2017).
Awareness of farmers, pastoralists, veterinarians, butchers and other
relevant stakeholders is crucial to improve passive surveillance for early
LSD detection and control. It also contributes to higher levels of

11. biosecurity to prevent LSD introduction into the country or the herd and
ensure rapid detection and an early, more efficient response to
outbreaks. A range of FAO training and awareness materials and tools
are available that can be adapted to country contexts.
CONCLUSION
The lumpy skin disease (LSDV) is a double stranded DNA virus. It is
member of the capripoxvirus genus of poxvidae. Capripoxviruses
(ChPVs) subfamily. The capripoxvirus genus consists of LSDV, as well
as sheeppox virus, and goatpox virus. CaPV infections are usually how
specific within specific geographic distributions even even though they
are serologically indistinguishable from one another .
Onset of fever occurs almost one week after infection by the virus.
This initial fever may exceed 41 °C (106 °F) and persist for one
week. At this time, all of the superficial lymph nodes become
enlarged. The nodules, in which the disease is characterized by,
appear seven to nineteen days after virus inoculation. Coinciding with
the appearance of the nodules, discharge from the eyes and nose
becomes mucopurulent.
Reference
• https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lumpy_skin_disease
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/lumpy-
skin-disease-
virus#:~:text=Lumpy%20skin%20disease%20(LSD)%20is,LSD%20as%20
a%20notifiable%20diseas
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC114441/