Abstract: Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), also termed as Knopvelsiekte or Neethling is a highly infectious, eruptive, occasionally fatal vector born disease of cattle caused by a virus of the family Poxviridae under the genus Capripox virus. The causative agent of the disease seems to be spread mainly by arthropod vectors, including biting flies, midges, mosquitoes, ticks and various insects. In addition to vectors, transmission through consumption of contaminated feed or water, direct contact with infected animals and also through natural mating or artificial insemination has been reported. Clinical signs of the disease are characterized by enlarged lymph nodes, oedema of the skin and legs, multiple nodules on the skin, mucous membranes, and internal organs followed by eruption of nodules, fever, emaciation, and sometimes death. Although the mortality rate of the disease is generally low but the various factors like, highly contagious nature, carrier status in convalescent animals and substantial economic losses due to permanent damage to hides, the prolonged debilitating effect especially in severely affected animals with consequent losses resulting from reduced weight gain, temporary or permanent cessation of milk production as a result of mastitis, temporary or permanent infertility or even sterility in bulls as a consequence of orchitis, and abortion in approximately 10% of infected pregnant cows, reduction in meat and milk yields make it a disease of major concern. Moreover indirect losses stem from restrictions on cattle movements and trade. Till now no clinically approved vaccine is available in India for this disease. However, as the cattle become infective before appearance of clinical lesions on the skin, slaughter of clinical cases has not been very effective in preventing the spread of disease. Quarantine, movement control, dipping and spraying of cattle with insecticides and spraying of farm buildings have been found to limit the spread of infection up to certain extent.

Keywords: Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), Knopvelsiekte, Neethling, vector born, multiple nodules, abortion, quarantine

| DOI: 10.17148/IARJSET.2020.7611