What Is Lumpy Skin Disease, Can It Infect Humans? Symptoms And Causes Of LSD

 

The Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) is caused by a virus called the Capripoxvirus and is one of the biggest threats to livestock worldwide. This virus genetically belongs to the goatpox and sheeppox virus family.

Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) is spreading rapidly in India. In the latest data, the health officials have confirmed that the viral disease has infected over 5,000 cattle in Uttar Pradesh, which has disrupted milk production as well. Not just in UP, the viral disease has entered other states too. Over the last few weeks, nearly 3,000 cattle have died in Rajasthan and Gujarat. Focusing on the seriousness of the disease and its high transmission rate, many states have also put a ban on the movement of cattle. Now, to know more about this disease which is killing cattle across India, let's understand this virus. How does it transmit from one person to another, what are the symptoms that it can cause and everything else related to it.

What Is The Lumpy Skin Disease?

The Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) is caused by a virus called the Capripoxvirus and is one of the biggest threats to livestock worldwide. This virus genetically belongs to the goatpox and sheeppox virus family.

Who Is The Carrier of This Virus?

Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) mainly infects cattle and water buffalo through vectors such as blood-feeding insects. Some of the signs and symptoms of this infection include the appearance of circular, firm nodes on the animal's hiding or skin (it usually looks like lumps on the skin). According to the experts, the animals who get infected by the LSD virus usually start losing weight suddenly and then they develop symptoms like fever and lesions in the mouth, along with a reduced milk yield.

Some of the other symptoms of LSD include excessive nasal and salivary secretion. One of the severe effects of LSD also includes miscarriage. Experts say that pregnant cows and buffaloes often suffer miscarriage and in some cases, infected cattle/animals can die due to the infection as well.

Can Lumpy Skin Disease Infect Humans?

Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) is not a new disease, according to the available data, this disease was already endemic in most African countries, and since 2012it is spreading across the Middle East, Southeast Europe and West and Central Asia. Also, when it comes to Asia, LSD has been infecting cattle since 2019. In May 2022, Pakistan's Punjab reported the deaths of over 300 cows due to LSD. Currently, the concerning part is that the virus is not only spreading across the country but also killing cattle.

Can humans get infected too? Whether humans can get infected by the lumpy skin disease-causing virus or not is the biggest question right now. In a statement, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) said that LSD has mortality rates of 1 to 5 per cent. However, the disease is not zoonotic, meaning it does not spread from animals to humans, and humans cannot get infected with it.

Can We Drink Milk?

Since the viral disease is not a zoonotic disease and does not spread to humans, milk produced by an infected animal is safe for consumption, but one needs to boil the milk well, or pasteurise it as these two processes can effectively kill the viruses, in any, in the milk.

How Can One Stop The Viral Disease From Spreading Further?

This viral disease spread among animals, however, it is important to save the cattle also. In order to do so, the first thing that is required is proper vigilance of the virus, which include - early detection, followed by a rapid and widespread vaccination campaign. The next few steps can include sanitising cattle sheds, isolating the infected animals, and contacting the nearest veterinarian for treatment of the infected animal.

                                   

How does the lampi virus spread?

Lumpi virus is a contagious disease that is transmitted from one animal to another. For information, let us tell you that its infection can be mainly spread by mosquitoes, flies, wasps, lice etc. Apart from this, it can also spread through direct contact with animals. This disease can also spread, especially by eating together / consuming contaminated food and water. Lumpi Virus is a very fast spreading virus. At present, the outbreak of this disease has been confirmed in more than 15 states. The only way to save animals from this disease is to identify the symptoms on time and start treatment on the basis of them.

Know here the symptoms of lampi virus

These symptoms (Lumpi Virus Symptoms) are being seen in animals infected with Lumpi Virus –

• Animals infected with the lumpi virus have a high fever after infection.
• There is a significant reduction in the quantity of milk.
• Rashes and lumps are formed on the skin of animals.
• Loss of appetite
• Swelling and lameness in the legs of the animal.
• Decreased working capacity in male animals.
• There is a decrease in the weight of the animal.
• It is also one of the main symptoms of drooling and watery eyes and nose.
• Apart from this, different symptoms can also be seen in different animals.

What is the protection against lumpi virus?

Know here how to protect your animals from Lumpi Virus.

• If an animal becomes infected, keep it away from other animals.
• Try to keep the animal’s place clean regularly.
• To eliminate flies, mosquitoes, etc., use sprays or any other similar home remedies from time to time.
• If an infected animal dies, then you should not throw its carcass in the open but bury it deep. So that
• there is no risk of infection.
• Spray insecticides in the surrounding areas from time to time.
• You can vaccinate your infected animals with gotpox vaccine on the instructions of the doctor.
• Animals can also be given multi-vitamin medicines (with the advice of a doctor) to increase their immunity.
• Antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and antihistaminic drugs are also being given to avoid lampi virus.

Lumpy skin disease: Indigenous vaccine ready to control virus, says PM Modi

As the Lumpy skin disease continues its killing spree with more than 57000 livestock dead across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday informed about the development of an indigenous vaccine for the virus. He also affirmed that both the Centre and State governments are working to control the spread of the disease.

The Prime Minister also vowed to ensure 100% vaccination among the cattle against the virus and efforts are also being made to track the movement of the animals in order to keep the spread under control.

"We are committed to 100 percent vaccination of livestock by 2025, for foot and mouth disease," he said.

Lumpy Skin Disease is a contagious viral disease that affects cattle and causes fever, skin nodules, and death. Mosquitoes, flies, lice, and wasps spread the disease through direct contact with cattle as well as contaminated food and water.

"Our scientists have also prepared an indigenous vaccine for Lumpy Skin Disease," Modi said addressing the International Dairy Federation World Dairy Summit (IDF WDS) 2022, being organized at India Expo Centre & Mart.

The summit was also attended by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Parshottam Rupala with his MoS Sanjeev Balyan.

"In the recent past, there has been the loss of livestock in many states of India due to the disease named Lumpy. The central government, along with various state governments, is trying to control it," Modi said.

Prime Minister also expressed concern about livestock diseases and termed it a major threat as it affects the income of farmers as such diseases also impact milk production and quality.