Lumpy Skin Disease in Pakistan

Abstract

The lumpy skin disease virus, also known as LSDV, belongs to the family of Poxviridae and is responsible for lumpy skin disease (LSD). It is a transboundary infection that mainly affects cattle and water buffaloes.  Due to its capacity for transboundary transmission, endemic and sporadic outbreaks occur all over the globe, but particularly in Africa and Asia. The virus is primarily mechanically transmitted to susceptible hosts by hematophagous arthropods.  The most efficient method to stop the spread of disease is through vaccination in conjunction with other preventative measures.  There has been many reports describing these cases in Pakistan in near past and there is a chance that it will spread again [1].

In 1929, Zambia recorded the first case of LSD, which later spread to nations in Sub-Saharan Africa, South-Eastern Europe, and Asia. LSD first became known in Asia in Bangladesh, then it expanded to other countries like India, Bhutan, Nepal, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Thailand. In the Pakistani province of Sindh, district Jamshoro, there was one confirmed case of LSD in 2021 November. When 36,000 infected cattle and a 0.8% mortality rate had been recorded by the end of April 2022 in Sindh, the livestock department proclaimed an epidemic of LSD. A total of five million dairy producers and meat vendors were impacted by the introduction of LSD, which had serious negative economic effects. Additionally, the virus may spread to humans through the milk and meat of sick animals [2].

The domesticated animals’ ventures in industrialized countries, including Pakistan, are lingering behind as far as playing it safe against new infections with regards to epidemiological situations and financial requirements. Because of lacking indicative circumstances and viral recognizable proof inside a specific time span, the infection can spread irreversibly and increase the quantity of diseases. Pakistan has never encountered an LSD plague before, however because of endemic LSDV in its neighbors, it faces a high gamble of doing so presently. A combination of vector control, vaccination, stringent quarantine regulations, and livestock mobility restrictions may be successful in halting the spread of the illness.