The Prevalence of Lumpy Skin Disease in the Cattle Population: A Brief Study

Abstract

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a generalized skin disease that is an infectious, eruptive, occasionally fatal disease of cattle caused by a virus associated with the Neethling poxvirus in the genus Capripoxvirus of the family Poxviridae. LSD was first described in Zambia and occurs in other most African countries and sporadically in the Middle East region. The genus Capripoxvirus of the family Poxviridae is the causative agent of Lumpy skin disease. Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) is closely related antigenically to sheep and goat poxviruses. In Ethiopia, limited works have been done on this disease so far and few studies have been reported on risk factors assessments, epidemiological aspects, seroprevalence, and financial impacts. LSDV transmission among cattle is by the mechanical haematophagus arthropod vectors. LSD is common during the wet season which is at the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. The control of LSD can be achieved through vaccination, restriction of animal movement, and eradication of infected and exposed animals.