Lumpy Skin Disease
Source : Down To Earth
GS III : Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life

Why in News?

Lumpy skin disease is spreading across bovines.

Key Facts

• Lumpy skin disease (LSD) a viral illness that causes prolonged morbidity in cattle and buffaloes.
• It appears as nodules of two to five centimetre diameter all over the body, particularly around the head, neck, limbs, udder and genitals.
• The lumps gradually open up like large and deep wounds.
  • In some cases under 10 per cent according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) the infected animal succumbs to the disease.
• LSD virus easily spreads by blood-sucking insects like mosquitoes, flies and ticks and through saliva and contaminated water and food.
  • No treatment is available for the disease that is being reported for the first time in India.
• LSD has remained confined to Africa, where it was first discovered in 1929, and parts of West Asia.
  • But in recent years, the disease has spread to territories beyond the endemic areas.
  • In 2015, it made an incursion into the European part of Turkey and Greece.
  • It was found in the Balkan and Caucasian countries and Russia in later years.
  • First found in Bangladesh in July 2019, LSD is spreading across Asia in epidemic proportions.

At least 23 countries in south Asia, east Asia and southeast Asia are now at risk of LSD, which is emerging as a trans-boundary animal disease.

• Spread in India
  • The disease has spread to 15 states.
  • The first outbreak of LSD was reported from Odisha five districts.
  • Studies suggest the virus could have already mutated in the country.
• Impact of the Virus
  • Due to the infectious nature of LSD and its implications on the economy
    • Decreased milk production
    • Abortions and infertility
    • Damaged hides due to cutaneous nodules and fibrous tissue growth cause significant economic losses to farmers.
    • No specific vaccine against LSD is available in India.

Way Forward

Tracing the source of infection plays a critical role in containing the spread of any contagious infection. the government has ensured frequent health check-ups of cattle in all districts. 

In case of death of an animal farmers should bury the carcass deep inside the earth. Quarantine the cattle even at the slightest symptom of the disease.

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