Lumpy Skin Disease

Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) is a viral disease affecting cattle and water buffaloes, caused by Lumpy Skin Disease Virus (LSDV). Infected animals typically develop numerous sikn nodules across the body, along with clinical signs such as fever, decreased milk production, and abortion. The nodular skin lesions and necrotic, detached tissues (sit-fast) contain high concentrations of the virus and, due to the virus's high environmental stability, serve as important sources of horizontal transmission. However, LSDV transmission is primarily mediated by blood-feeding arthropod vectors such as biting midges, stable flies, and ticks. Therefore, vector control measures are essential for preventing the incursion of LSD into farms. Live attenuated vaccines are effective and is widely used for the prevention of the disease; however, in many affected countries the disease has not been eradicated. In Asia, since the first outbreak in China in 2019, LSD has continued to spread in Southeast and East Asian countries. In Japan, the first case was confirmed in a daily farm in Fukuoka Prefecture in November 2024. Although no new cases have been reported since January of this year (as of June 20), ongoing outbreaks in neighboring countries indicate that the risk of reintroduction remains high.