Note regarding vaccination to control Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in Cattle of Assam
Prepared by Assam Vetroadmap Project
In Assam, there are reports of cattle and buffaloes suffering from a disease condition showing symptoms of the eruption of round cutaneous nodules on the skin all over the body. These may be suspected as cases of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), an OIE notifiable disease of bovines.
Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Government of Assam, released the following advisory to various districts on 7th July 2020. The laboratory confirmation of the disease is awaited.
Click Here to download the advisory
Click Here to view the Facebook advisory of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary in the Assamese language.
India first reported (immediate notification) the following 3 outbreaks of the disease to OIE on 18th November 2019 with an apparent morbidity rate of 8.48%. (Total cases 79 out of 932 susceptible)
Outbreak 1: Khairbani, Betnoti, Mayurbhanj, Orissa
Outbreak 2: Patalipura, Betnoti, Mayurbhanj, Orissa
Outbreak 3: Rajendrapur, Bhandaripokhari, Bhadrak, Orissa
During the early part of the year 2020, Kerala also reported LSD from three districts viz. Palakkad, Thrissur, and Malappuram
Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) is caused by lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), a virus from the family Poxviridae, genus Capripoxvirus. Sheeppox virus and the Goatpox virus are the two other virus species in this genus.
As per Chapter 3.4.12 of The OIE Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals 2019, all strains of capripoxvirus examined so far, whether derived from cattle, sheep, or goats, are antigenically similar.
As per the available information, Orissa and Kerala used goat pox vaccine (e.g., Goat Pox Vaccine, Live, Uttarkashi strain manufactured by Hester Biosciences Limited, Ahmedabad Maximum Retail Price Rs.514 per 50 dose pack) for control of LSD. Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) is validating the use of the goat pox vaccine ( e.g. feasibility, effectiveness, and optimal dose in cattle) for control of LSD, and reports are awaited. Assam Agricultural University is likely to facilitate the validation in Assam.
A recent report says that the G20-LKV strain goat pox vaccine is suitable for LSD. A study published in Nature (June 2020) suggests that vaccination against LSDV should be carried out with the homologous strain. Such a vaccine is currently not available in India.
There are reports that some countries in Africa controlled lumpy skin disease using a cell culture live vaccine. It takes time to adapt the virus to cell culture. For the time being Goat Tissue Vaccine (GTV) seems to be the immediate solution and as mentioned above, IVRI is validating available commercials vaccine in India for use in LSD. The efforts should be made for attenuating the local isolate as a future vaccine. The modern vaccine with a biotechnological approach is another promising area.
( Prepared in consultation with Prof Subba Rao Mandava, Prof Probodh Borah, Prof N N Barman, Dr. Rahul Srivastava, and Dr. Parimal Roychoudhury )
Click Here for DO letter of Government of India to Government of Odisha dated 4th December 2020 suggesting validation of available goatpox vaccine for LSD by IVRI.
Click Here for Advisory of Government of India (19th November’ 2019 )
FAO Manual for field veterinarians on Lumpy Skin Disease
Guide to develop LSD Emergency Vaccination Plan
FAO Publication (2020 ): Introduction and spread of lumpy skin disease in South, East, and Southeast Asia
Qualitative risk assessment and management
MSD, Expert FAQ on Lumpy Skin Disease vaccination: Click Here
Click Here to view the recording of the webinar conducted by COVAS, Parbhani, MAFSU, and Veterinary Internal and Preventive Medicine Society (VIPM) on “Lumpy Skin Disease in Animals” by Prof. (Dr) A.U. Bhikane, President, VIPM and University Head, Veterinary Clinical Medicine, COVAS, Udgir, MAFSU on 5th July 2020
Click Here to view the recording of the webinar on LSD conducted by KVAFSU on 14th August 2020 in association with Animal Agri Solutions, Bengaluru
Click Here to view the Vetoquinols Webinar dated 13th Sept 2020 on Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) by Professor Abdul Samad.
Live talk show (Assamese ) on LSD to create awareness -A program attended by Dr. M Islam Barbaruah of Assam Vet Road map project:
Article by DrChandra Kumar Singha and Dr. Lara Dutta in the local language newspaper to create awareness:
Publication of the National Dairy Development Board and The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology (TDU) on ethnoveterinary solutions for Lumpy Skin Disease:
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