LUMPY SKIN DISEASE Syllabus GS Paper 3 - Sci & tech)
Context:. Questioning the Union Animal Husbandry Ministry’s data that more than two lakh cattle and buffaloes had died by lumpy skin disease in 2022 and 2023.
lumpy skin disease
- About Lumpy skin disease is a viral disease that affects cattle. It is genetically related to the goatpox and sheeppox virus family.
- Transmitted by blood-feeding insects, such as certain species. of flies and mosquitoes, or ticks.
- Causes: fever, nodules on the skin and can also lead to death, especially in animals that that have not previously been exposed to the virus.
- Symptoms:
o The incubation period for lumpy skin disease is between 14 day post-infection.
o After an initial period of high fever (41°C) and swollen lymph glands, the animal may develop large, firm nodules that are up to 5 cm in diameter in the skin.
o These can be found all over the body, but particularly on the: head.
- Guidelines for prevention of Lumpy Skin Disease:
o Preventive measures: Control of animal movement, Restriction with affected animals and persons dealing with such animals, Vaccination.
o Bio-security measures: Disinfection of premises at regular intervals, Immediate isolation of sick animal from the healthy animals.
