Lumpy Skin Disease outbreak in cattle buffalo in Nepal.

Dr.Kedar Karki M.V.Sc Preventive Veterinary

Senior veterinary Health Management Connsultant.
DIVINE VETERINARY CLINIC Sinamangal Kathmandu.

Abstract:
Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an emerging infectious disease in
Cattle caused by a virus of the family Poxviridae and genus
Capripoxvirus. It is a vector borne disease transmitted by biting
insects (For example, mosquitoes and biting flies). It affects the
hide quality, milk production and can even cause death of the
animal. Severe infections of the same can cause significant
economic damage to dairy and beef cattle breeding.
Vaccination can be done for the prevention of the disease, but
studies have shown that it can cause various complications in
animals in the form of liver dysfunctions and more severe cases
may lead to embryonic mortality and abortions. Hence, the
diagnosis and treatment of the disease is of utmost importance.
This mini-review is specifically aimed at providing the latest
diagnostic techniques and treatment practices to reduce further
incidences in the future. It will also address the propagation and
economic significance of the disease.
Keywords- Lumpy Skin Disease, Cattle, Livestock, India,
Capripox virus, Ethnoveterinary Medicine, Veterinary
Homeopathy.
Abbreviations- LSD– Lumpy Skin Disease

This disease, which was initially seen in African countries, has

gradually reached Nepal through Myanmar, Thailand, Pakistan,
and India. Two years ago, after the disease was detected in
Morang, it spread to Rautahat, Chitwan and Makwanpur. At that
time, it was found in the investigation of the Animal Services
Department that 1500 cows were infected with this disease at
the same time. However, due to the government's lack of
interest in controlling the disease, it has now taken the form of
an epidemic across the country. This disease, which started
from Terai, has now spread the most in Makwanpur. 
45 cattle have died in Makwanpur due to this disease.
According to a preliminary study by the Ministry of Agriculture,
the disease has spread to the hilly areas due to the trend of
selling cows in the hills after they are fattened and taking milch
cows from the plains.
Due to a new infectious disease called 'lumpy skin', the milch
cows and buffaloes reared by farmers are getting sick and
dying. According to the data of the Department of Animal
Services under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock
Development and the Ministry of Agriculture in the state, this
disease, which was introduced two years ago, has reached 49
districts across the country.
So far, 14,366 cows, buffaloes and bulls have been infected
with this disease, the Central Animal Research Laboratory has
confirmed. However, it is estimated that millions of livestock
have been infected by this disease. On 10 June 1977, 'Lumpy
skin' disease first appeared in a farmer's cow in Sunder
Haraincha municipality of Morang. Since the government did
not pay much attention to control it in the early days, now this
disease has taken the form of an epidemic.
This disease, which started from the financial year 077/78, was
seen in 11 municipalities of eight districts in the first year itself.
At that time, 1,458 cows and five buffaloes were confirmed to
be infected by laboratory tests. In that year, 13 cows died due to
lamki skin disease. In the year 078/79, the disease spread in 29
municipalities of 16 districts and it was confirmed after
laboratory tests that 1,831 cows and seven buffaloes were
infected. In the current year 079/80, this disease has appeared
in 11 thousand 65 cattle tested in the laboratory. Currently, the
infection of this disease has been observed in 49 districts
across the country. According to officials of the Ministry of
Agriculture, the risk of spreading this disease to other districts of
the country has increased and this year alone, more than 1,200
livestock have died due to this disease.
The Ministry of Industry, Agriculture and Cooperatives informed
that this disease has spread in Ilam and Sankhuwasabha in
Kosi province this year. According to Animal Services
Department, the infection has spread to four more districts of
Panchthar, Tehrathum, Dhankuta and Udaipur in Kosi Province.
The provincial ministry has claimed that the budget has been
arranged for the purchase of the vaccine, but the vaccine itself
is not available. 
In Madhes province, infection was seen in Rautahat and Siraha
last year. Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture and
Cooperatives informed.
The Directorate of Animal and Fisheries Development, informed
that the disease has spread in Chitwan, Sindhuli and
Makwanpur in Bagmati Province. According to the Central
Animal and Poultry Disease Research Laboratory under the
Department of Animal Services, the infection of this disease has
also been confirmed in Dolakha of Bagmati. According to the
department, Lumpy Skin appeared in Lalitpur, Kathmandu and
Ramechhap in Bagmati last year.
Lumpy skin was seen only in Nawalparasi, the Ministry of
Agriculture, Energy and Water Resources, Gandaki Province
informed. According to Animal Services Department, the
disease has spread in three more districts of Gandaki, Syangja,
Lamjung and Gorkha. According to the Ministry of Agriculture
and Land Management of Lumbini Province, this disease has
spread in West Nawalparasi, Rupandehi, Kapilvastu, Dang,
Banke and Bardia had also reached the hilly district of Palpa.
"Dang and West Nawalparasi have been affected a little more,"
"however, the disease is under control.According to the Central
Animal and Poultry Disease Research Laboratory, infection has
also been found in Pyuthan and Rolpa in Lumbini.
The Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture and
Cooperatives, informed that lumpy skin has appeared more
intensively than last year in Karnali province. Last year, Salyan,
Jajarkot and Rukum were seen in the west. This time it has
spread like an epidemic even in Surkhet this disease has also
spread in Dailekh and Humla. "Last year this disease was seen
only in cows and bulls, this time it has also spread to buffaloes.
Lumpy skin spread in all nine districts of Far West (Darchula,
Bajhang, Bajura, Baitadi, Dadeldhura, Doti, Acham,
Kanchanpur and Kailali).'This disease has spread throughout
the province. 'In Doti, 57 animals have died due to this
disease.' 
In Central Animal and Poultry Disease Research Laboratory,
there has been an increase in the number of samples coming
from different districts for Lumpy skin disease testing in recent
days. 'Many samples are coming to different districts for testing
for skin disease. The disease is confirmed in most of them
Lumpy skin disease was confirmed in 128 of 155 samples last
time.'
How many districts of which province is infected?

Kosi: Ilam, Sankhuwasabha, Bhojpur, Panchthar, Tehrthum,

Dhankuta, Udaipur, Morang, Jhapa Sunsari
Madhes: Rautahat, Siraha

Bagmati: Chitwan, Sindhuli, Makwanpur, Dolakha, Lalitpur,

Kathmandu, Ramechhap.

Gandaki: East Navalparasi, Syangja, Lamjung, Gorkha , Kaski,

Tanahun
Lumbini : West Nawalparasi, Rupandehi, Kapilvastu, Dang,
Banke, Bardia, Palpa, Pyuthan Rolpa Karnali :

Salyan , Jajarkot, Rukum West, Surkhet, Humla, Dailekh

Far West : Darchula, Bajhang, Bajura, Baitadi, Dadeldhura,
Doti , Achham, Kanchanpur and Kailali.

These are the symptoms of the disease

After the infection of this disease, cow, buffalo, neck and tail
area, stomach, udder etc. appear in different parts of the body
including small and big gyrus (larger than 1 to 5 cm), fever more
than 150 degrees, sputum and horn discharge, excessive
foaming at the mouth, not eating food. According to the
Department of Animal Services, milk production will decrease
up to 80 percent, and the problem of sterility will be seen. Due
to the disease, 45 percent of the cattle will be more affected by
the infection and 10 percent of the cattle may die, disease is
mainly transmitted by the bites of mosquitoes, biting flies,
caterpillars, beetles, etc. 'Flying insects spread infection. Apart
from this, the disease is spread through the transportation of
infected cows and buffaloes. This is basically of the nature of
rapid infection in milch cows and buffaloes. 
Capripox virus is a borderless disease that causes excessive
infection in cattle. Although the mortality rate in this disease is
low, it reduces milk and meat production, causes miscarriage,
creates infertility, reduces skin quality.
After the outbreak of lamki skin disease, the government has
given approval for the use of a vaccine containing Nethaling
Strain. The government has not yet announced that it will
provide subsidies for the vaccine. According to the Ministry of
Agriculture, the local and state governments can coordinate and
purchase the vaccine and distribute it to the farmers.
So far, the exact treatment method for lumpy skin has not been
discovered.This disease can be controlled by treating the
symptoms. "The animal with fever should be given medicine
accordingly, if it is found to have shedding and horns, it should
be treated accordingly.Vaccines have been approved for
disease control and permission has been given for use.
Boiling or pasteurizing milk given by diseased cows or buffaloes
does not affect humans. If the disease that is seen in cattle is
treated immediately, it can be saved from lumpy skin.
Because, after four to five days of symptoms such as fever,
reluctance to eat, itchiness, scabies and itching, the lumpy skin
takes shape. As soon as the fever occurs, it can be cured by
treating it, and the animal can be prevented from developing
lumpy skin.

Treatment Methods:

As such there is no treatment available for the disease [3]. The

treatment is done on symptom basis. However, the secondary
bacterial infections can be avoided by the use of antibiotics and
supportive care. Anti-inflammatory drug is also given to reduce
pain and to increase the appetite of the cattle.
Allopathic Treatment [12]:

1. Antiseptic with Herbal Spray

2. Levamisole (immunomodulatory drug)

3. Antihistamines 10ml daily for three days

4. Antibiotics e.g., Amoxicillin at the dose of 3-4 gm total or

10-12 mg per kg body weight.

Ayurvedic Treatment [12]:

Ethnoveterinary formulation: (For oral administrations)

1. First Preparation

Ingredients: (For one dose)

Betel leaves-10 nos.; Black pepper-10g: Salt-10g

Preparation:

• Blend to form a paste and mix with jaggery

• Feed the dose in small portions orally

• Feed one dose every three hours for the first day (Day 1)
• Feed three doses daily from the second day onwards for 2
weeks (Day 2 onwards)

2. Second Preparation

Ingredients: (For 2 doses)

Garlic-2 pearls; Coriander- 10g; Cumin-10g: Tulsi-1 handful:

Dry cinnamon leaves-10g; Black pepper-10g; Betel leaves-5
nos; Shallots-2 bulbs; Turmeric powder-10g; Chirata leaf
powder- 30g; Sweet Basil- 1 handful; Neem leaves-1 handful;
Aegle marmalos (Bel) leaves-1 handful; Jaggery-100g

Preparation:

• Feed the dose in small portions oral

• Feed one dose every three hours for the first day (Day 1)
evening second

• Feed two doses daily in the morning and condition

resolves (2 day onwards)

3. 3. Third Preparation For external application (if there are

wounds):
Ingredients:

Acalypha indica leaves- 1 handful; Garlic- 10 pearls; Neem

leaves- 1 handful; Coconut or Sesame oil- 500ml; Turmeric
powder- 20g: Mehandi leaves

1handful: Tulsi leaves- 1handful.

Preparation:

1. Blend all the ingredients thoroughly.

2. Mix with 500ml coconut or sesame oil and boil and bring to
cool.

Application: Clean the wound and apply directly.

If maggots are seen: Apply Anona leaf paste or camphorated

coconut oil for the first day only if maggots are present.

Studies have also shown that steps taken to control the

arthropod vectors have proven to decline the number of cases.

Vaccination:

As of now, there is no exclusive vaccine available for LSD [4].

However, some Goat pox and sheep pox vaccine are being
used for the control.For example, Yugoslavian RM-65 strain and
Romanian sheep pox strain vaccines are being used [13].

Conclusion:

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an emerging infectious disease in

Cattle in India caused by a virus of the family Poxviridae and
genus Capripoxvirus. The disease has a very high mortality rate
that can affect India’s economy. Therefore, after learning the
correct diagnosis, treatment and economic importance, it is
essential to take preventive measures to avoid further
outbreaks. Control of the arthropod vectors is also necessary.

References:

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3. Beard Pip 2021. “Lumpy Skin Disease” NADIS Animal

Health Skills
4. Burkov P. V. et al. 2021. IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ.
Sci. 677 042017

5. Fevik Murat et al. 2016. “Serum Biochemistry of Lumpy

Skin Disease Virus-Infected Cattle” Hindawi Publishing
Corporation BioMed Research International Volume 2016,
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Mini-review of Transmission, Diagnosis, and PSM Microbiol,
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OF LUMPY SKIN DISEASE IN A CROSSBRED COW – FIRST
CONFIRMED REPORT FROM KERALA

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Chaudhary K, et al. 2021. “Isolation and characterization of
lumpy skin disease virus from cattle in India”. PLoS ONE 16(1):
e0241022
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lumpy skin disease virus and sheep pox virus vaccines against
recent field isolate of lumpy skin disease virus” Vol 6 Numero 3

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AFFECTED WITH LUMPY SKIN DISEASE (LSD) BY
HOMEOPATHIC & HERBAL REMEDY”

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14. Yildirim Yakup et al. 2019. “Lumpy Skin Disease” DOI:

10.35864/evmd.624975
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7:1022.