First report of Lumpy skin disease outbreak in cattle and buffaloes of
Gandaki Province, Nepal
Abstract
Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a vector-borne viral disease affecting
cattle and water buffalo. This disease causes huge economic losses to
dairy farmers due to the drastic reduction in milk production. This
study describes the first confirmed outbreak of LSD in cattle and water
buffalo from the Gandaki province of Nepal. Suspected outbreak sites in
Kaski and Tanahun district of Gandaki Province were visited and 42
samples from 16 animals (12 cattle and 4 water buffalo) from 9 farms
showing clinical signs were sampled and tested for LSD at the Central
Veterinary Laboratory using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Clinical features exhibited by affected animals and their farm
characteristics were recorded. The result showed that all 16 animals
were positive for LSD. The overall morbidity was 4.85% (95% CI= 3.01-
7.73%) with cattle (7.23%) having higher morbidity compared to water
buffaloes (2.44%). However, none of the affected animals died. In
total, 93.7% (n= 15/16) of the affected animals had a milk loss with an
average milk reduction of 58.7%. The major clinical features observed
were swollen lymph nodes (100%), nasal and lachrymal discharge
(81.25%), nodular lesions in skin (75%), and fever (50%). Vectors
were present in all 9 farms and 5 out of 9 farms had a history of the
introduction of new animals. In conclusion, this is the first official
confirmation of LSD in the Gandaki province of Nepal. As the potential
socio-economic impact of this is high due to the loss of milk
production, the Gandaki province government in collaboration with the
federal government should develop an appropriate control strategy
including vaccination. We suggest government to practice risk-based ring
vaccination in susceptible cattle and buffaloes surrounding the
confirmed cases. Besides, cattle and buffalo movement need to be
regulated. Keywords: Capripoxvirus; Large ruminants; Outbreak
investigation; Vector; Vaccines