LUMPY SKIN DISEASE: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an economically devastating viral disease of cattle caused by Lumpy Skin Disease Virus (LSDV), a member of the genus Capripoxvirus within the family Poxviridae. Historically confined to sub-Saharan Africa, the disease has undergone dramatic geographical expansion over the past two decades, spreading through the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and South and Southeast Asia, culminating in catastrophic outbreaks across the Indian subcontinent since 2019. The disease inflicts severe production losses through mortality, drastically reduced milk yield, hide damage, reproductive failure, and international trade embargoes. This comprehensive review synthesizes current knowledge on the etiology, molecular biology, epidemiology, transmission dynamics, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, laboratory confirmation, treatment protocols, prevention strategies, and future research directions for LSD. Special emphasis is placed on emerging diagnostic tools, next-generation vaccine platforms, and integrated One Health approaches. Sequential citations[1–20] are preserved throughout.