Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) is a contagious viral infection affecting cattle, leading to significant economic losses across Africa. Mortality rates can reach up to 40%, but more commonly range between 1% and 5%. The disease reduces milk production, slows growth, and damages hides, impacting farmers’ livelihoods.
Vaccination: The Most Effective Defense
There is no specific antiviral treatment for LSD, but vaccination is the most effective prevention method. The Neethling and Kenya sheep and goat pox virus vaccines have successfully controlled outbreaks. Young cattle over six months old should be vaccinated first, with annual booster shots ensuring long-term immunity.
Control Strategies
- Quarantine & Biosecurity: Infected animals should be isolated, and farm biosecurity measures strengthened to prevent further spread.
- Ring Vaccination: Establishing a 25–50 km vaccination buffer around affected areas can contain outbreaks.
- Supportive Care: Infected cattle should receive proper wound care, antibiotics for secondary infections, and access to food and water.
- Culling & Movement Restrictions: In newly affected regions, culling infected cattle and restricting movement can help stop further transmission.
LSD’s History and Spread
First reported in Zambia in 1929, LSD was initially mistaken for insect bite hypersensitivity. By the 1940s, it had spread across southern Africa, reaching Kenya in 1957 and Sudan in 1972. Today, LSD is enzootic in sub-Saharan Africa and has expanded into North Africa and the Middle East, posing a growing concern for global cattle health.
Economic Impact and Future Outlook
LSD causes substantial financial losses due to reduced productivity and trade restrictions. Effective vaccination programs, improved biosecurity, and coordinated regional control efforts are essential to mitigating its impact and securing Africa’s cattle industry for the future.