Lumpy Skin Disease

Facts for Prelims

Lumpy Skin Disease

News: A Parliamentary Standing Committee has raised concerns about the accuracy of information regarding cattle deaths due to Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD).

About:
• Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an infectious disease in cattle caused by a virus of the family Poxviridae, also known as Neethling virus. The disease is characterized by fever, enlarged superficial lymph nodes, and multiple nodules (measuring 2–5 centimetres in diameter) on the skin and mucous membranes.
• Infected cattle may also develop edematous swelling in their limbs and exhibit lameness. The disease often results in chronic debility, reduced milk production, poor growth, infertility, abortion, and sometimes
death.
• LSD is primarily spread by biting insects such as mosquitoes, biting flies, and possibly ticks which mechanically transfer the virus. It can also be spread through direct contact between animals via secretions and excretions.
• According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), infected animals shed the virus through oral and nasal secretions which may contaminate common feeding and water troughs.

Is there a vaccine for LSD?
• The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed an indigenous vaccine for LSD in cattle. The vaccine, named “Lumpi-ProVacInd”, was developed by ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines (ICAR-NRCE), Hisar (Haryana), in collaboration with ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Izatnagar, Uttar Pradesh.