Lumpy skin disease, a viral infection, has killed nearly 75,000 cattle in India and spread to more than ten states and union territories, with Rajasthan bearing the brunt of the damage. Last week, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that the Centre and States are collaborating to control the spread of the disease, which has become a concern for the dairy industry.
What is lumpy skin disease?
Lumpy skin disease is caused by the lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), which is a member of the poxviridae family and belongs to the genus capripoxvirus (smallpox and monkeypox viruses are also a part of the same family).
The LSDV has antigenic similarities with the sheeppox virus (SPPV) and the goatpox virus (GTPV), as well as a similar immune response to those viruses. Because it is not a zoonotic virus, the disease cannot be transmitted to humans.
It is a contagious vector-borne disease that mostly affects host animals like cows and water buffaloes
It is a contagious vector-borne disease that mostly affects host animals like cows and water buffaloes and is carried by vectors like mosquitoes, certain biting flies, and ticks.
It is a contagious vector-borne disease spread by mosquitoes, some biting flies, and ticks that typically affects host animals such as cows and water buffaloes. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), infected animals shed the virus through oral and nasal secretions, which can contaminate common feeding and water troughs. As a result, the disease can spread through either direct contact with the vectors or contaminated fodder and water. It has also been shown in studies that it can spread through animal sperm during artificial insemination.
Symptoms of lumpy skin disease
Lumpy skin disease affects the lymph nodes of the infected animal, causing them to enlarge and appear like lumps on the skin, hence the name. The infected cattle’s head, neck, limbs, udder, genitalia, and perineum develop cutaneous nodules 2-5 cm in diameter. The nodules may eventually develop into ulcers and scabs on the skin. High fever, sharp drop in milk yield, discharge from the eyes and nose, salivation, loss of appetite, depression, damaged hides, emaciation (thinness or weakness) of animals, infertility, and abortions are among the other symptoms. According to the FAO, the incubation period, or the time between infection and symptoms, is about 28 days, but some other estimates range from 4 to 14 days.
Is it safe to consume dairy products?
According to research, it has not been possible to detect the presence of viable and infectious LSDV virus in milk derived from infected animals. However, according to FAO, a large portion of milk in Asia is processed after collection and is either pasteurized, boiled, or dried to make milk powder. This procedure ensures that the virus is rendered inactive or destroyed.
Notably, the Joint Director of the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) told PTI that milk from cattle infected with Lumpy Skin Disease is safe to consume because it is a non-zoonotic disease.
“It is safe to consume milk from the infected cattle. There is no problem in the quality of milk even if you have it after boiling or without boiling,” Mr. Mohanty said.
Lumpy skin disease was first observed in Zambia in 1929
The disease was first discovered in Zambia in 1929. However, it quickly spread to most of Africa, West Asia, Southeastern Europe, and Central Asia. More recently, in 2019, it moved to South Asia and China. According to the FAO, the LSD illness is currently endemic in a number of nations in Africa, as well as in portions of West Asia (Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the Syrian Arab Republic).
