Lumpy skin disease in Zim cattle

Affected beasts usually develop some lumps on their skins before dying.

"Farmers are advised to buy vaccines and vaccinate their cattle. The disease is preventable. This year is a fairly bad year regarding the disease.

"The disease occurs in cycles and an outbreak is experienced, after seven or so years," said Dr Hargreaves.

He, however, assured farmers that the disease was not a major threat to the national herd.

"It is not a serious matter where our department is involved, but there is need for the farmers to prevent the disease. It is not a disease which affects trade in cattle products," he said.

Dr Hargreaves said farmers with indigenous cattle breeds were at an advantage because these were fairly resistant to the lumpy skin disease.

"They (indigenous cattle) are fairly resistant to the disease. Exotic breeds have been more susceptible," he said.

He said while the disease was not a major threat, there have been a shortage of vaccines since the South African manufacturer was failing to cope with the demand from the whole region....

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LINK is about the disease

LUMPY SKIN DISEASE

(Pseudo-urticaria, Neethling virus disease, exanthema nodularis bovis, knopvelsiekte)

Definition

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an acu:te to chronic viral disease of cattle characterized by skin nodules that may have inverted conical necrosis (sitfast) with lymphadenitis accompanied by a persistent fever.

The most likely way for LSD to enter a new area is by introduction of infected animals. Biting insects that have fed on infected cattle may travel and be blown for substantial distances. It is likely that LSD spread to Israel via contaminated insects blown across the Sinai Desert (21). The movement of contaminated hides represents another potential means for this resistant virus to move.

If LSD is confirmed in a new area before extensive spread occurs, the area should be quarantined, infected and exposed animals slaughtered, and the premises cleaned and disinfected. Vaccination of susceptible animals within the quarantine should be considered.

If the disease has spread over a large area, the most effective means of controlling losses from LSD is vaccination. However, even with vaccination, consideration still should be given to eliminating infected and exposed herds by slaughter, proper disposal of animals and contaminated material, and by cleaning and disinfecting contaminated premises, equipment, and facilities.