Online Reporter
Agriculture Reporter
Lumpy skin disease affects cattle and is caused by a virus.
According to the Department of Veterinary Services, the disease is characterised by the sudden appearance of firm swellings of the skin and underlying tissue on all parts of the body
Occurrence
Lumpy skin disease is seen throughout the country and usually occurs during the rainy season
• Cattle of all ages are susceptible. During an outbreak many animals may be affected at the same time and spread of the disease to neighbouring farms may be rapid
• Biting insects are presumably responsible for the transmission of Lumpy skin disease. It can also be spread on needles used without sterilisation between animals. Normally few affected animals die from Lumpy skin disease.
Clinical signs
• Initial high rise in body temperature and loss of appetite.
• Cows may show a dramatic drop in the milk yield and pregnant cows may abort.
• About a week later, numerous painful swellings appear on the skin over which the hair stands erect.
• Swellings occur on the muzzle, neck, brisket, back, thighs and under the tail. The swellings are round and firm, varying in size from 1cm to 5cm.
• Lesions may sometimes also occur in the mouth causing salivation
• The lymph nodes become enlarged
• In most cases the swelling disappear rapidly, but they may remain as hard lumps or become a raw wound.
• One or more legs may swell up
• Deaths are generally rare but in severe cases,
• The animal may succumb to secondary bacterial infection, such as mastitis or pneumonia. Recovery may take one to three months.
Treatment
Antibiotics may be used to prevent secondary bacterial infection.
Control
• Lumpy skin disease is controlled effectively by vaccination which should be done in October/November before the rainy season starts.
• Annual vaccination is recommended.
• It is advisable to inject the vaccine into the dewlap as some animals may develop a large local swelling which usually disappears.
• When animals are being vaccinated, particularly during an outbreak, a sterile needle must be used for each individual animal to avoid spread of infection.
