Lumpy Skin Disease in Large Ruminants -An Emerging Threat

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an acute highly infectious viral disease caused by LSD virus belonging to genus, Capripox virus and family, Poxviridae. It is an important transboundary bovine endemic disease in African and Middle East countries and Mediterranean region. It has started spreading to Asian and other countries. The disease is characterised by fever and appearance of nodular lesions on skin all over the body. Sometimes involvement of mucous membranes of respiratory system, urogenital system and other internal organs is also recorded. LSD is transmitted by arthropod vectors and causes high morbidity and low mortality. Economic losses due to LSD include decreased milk production, abortion, temporary or permanent sterility in bulls, damage to hide and occasional death. In August 2019, the first occurrence of LSD outbreak in India has been reported to OIE. Vaccination along with strict quarantine measures and vector control could be effective in preventing the disease spread. This review aims to summarise latest developments in epidemiology, aetiology, methods of transmission, clinical presentations, diagnosis, control and prevention of LSD.