Lumpy Skin Disease

Unique identifier / Notation

BI0307

Synonyms

Dermatose nodulaire contagieuse (fr) Dermatosis nodular contagiosa (es)

Lumpy skin disease is a vector-borne pox disease of domestic cattle and Asian water buffalo and is characterised by the appearance of skin nodules on all body surfaces including the udder (FAO, 2017).

Primary reference(s)

FAO, 2017. Lumpy Skin Disease: A field manual for veterinarians. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Animal Production and Health Manual No. 20. Accessed 28 May 2025.

Annotations

Additional scientific description

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is caused by the lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), a member of the genus Capripoxvirus (CaPV) within the family Poxviridae, with significant morbidity in cattle that has dramatic effects on rural livelihoods (FAO, 2017). The LSDV shares the genus with sheep pox virus (SPPV) and goat pox virus (GTPV), which are closely related, but phylogenetically distinct. LSD is one of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) listed diseases (WOAH, 2024b).

LSD morbidity rate varies between 10 and 20% although it has been reported in some places to be as high as 45% with mortality rates of 1 to 5% considered usual (WOAH, 2022).

LSD spreads mainly through mechanical transmission by arthropod vectors. In addition to vectors, transmission may occur through consumption of contaminated feed or water, direct contact, natural mating or artificial insemination (FAO, 2017).

Although traditionally limited to sub-Saharan Africa, LSD has spread rapidly to new territories since 2015 including the Middle East and Turkey, and most of the Balkan countries, the Caucasus and the Russian Federation, causing substantial economic losses and a serious threat to the food security. Further, in 2019, LSD was also reported in Bangladesh, China and India and in 2020 it reached Chinese Taipei (WOAH, no date a). LSD can rapidly spread across national borders and reach epidemic proportions, thus requiring regional cooperation in prevention, control and eradication (FAO, 2017).

LSD is preventable through control measures, including vaccination (Metwally et al., 2021). Large-scale vaccination is the most effective way to prevent and control the disease spread. Effective live attenuated vaccines are the most commonly used vaccines against LSD commercially available and the sooner they are used the less severe the economic impact of an outbreak is likely to be (FAO, 2017). Each country typically maintains a list of registered veterinary vaccines approved for use. For specific regulations, consult the country's veterinary authorities.

There is no evidence that LSDV can infect humans (FAO, 2017).

Metrics and numeric limits

LSD is a WOAH-listed disease and must be reported to the Organisation, as indicated in the Terrestrial Animal Health Code. World Animal Health Information System WAHIS is the global animal health reference database of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). WAHIS data reflects the validated information since 2005 reported by the Veterinary Services from Member and non-Member Countries and Territories on terrestrial and aquatic Listed diseases in domestic animals and wildlife, as well as on emerging diseases and zoonoses. WAHIS includes interactive mapping tools and dashboards to support data consultation, visualization and extraction of officially validated animal health data (WOAH, no date b).

Key relevant UN convention / multilateral treaty

WTO Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) (WTO, 1994). https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/booksp_e/agrmntseries4_sps_e.pdf Accessed 1 January 2025.

United Nations. 2023. Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods - UN Model Regulations. https://unece.org/transport/dangerous-goods/un-model-regulations-rev-23 Accessed 1 January 2025.

Drivers

LSD easily spreads in areas experiencing storms, flooding, civil conflict, insecurity, displacement of people, and greater need to remain mobile, due to difficulties in maintaining high biosecurity. Other drivers include lack of biosecurity, and the presence of vectors (FAO, 2017).

Impacts

Death of infected animals, spread of infection, trade ban (FAO, 2017). Although the mortality rate is generally low, economic losses result from loss of condition, decreased milk production, abortions, infertility and damaged hides.

Multi-hazard context

LSDV is remarkably stable, surviving for long periods at ambient temperature, especially in dried scabs. LSDV is very resistant to inactivation, surviving in necrotic skin nodules for up to 33 days or longer, desiccated crusts for up to 35 days, and at least 18 days in air-dried hides. It can remain viable for long periods in the environment. The virus is susceptible to sunlight and detergents containing lipid solvents, but in dark environmental conditions, such as contaminated animal sheds, it can persist for many months (WOAH, 2022).

Risk Management

Vaccination programme, vector control, movement control, farm biosecurity (FAO, 2017).

The Food and Agriculture Organization of The United Nations (FAO) provides guidance on prevention measures (FAO, no date). It is difficult to stop cattle from being attacked by infected vectors (flies, etc.) once the infection is within an area. Risk behaviours increase the probability of infection being carried between locations. Large-scale vaccination is the most effective way to prevent and control the disease spread (FAO, 2017). The FAO guidance on preventative measures that can improve the level of protection of a herd from LSD and other infectious diseases includes the following (FAO, no date):

Implement biosecurity measures: 

As livestock and vehicles can carry live vectors (flies, mosquitoes, etc.) between areas, avoid entry or opening of such vehicles within or close to livestock holdings unless disinfested with approved products.
Protect animals from insects (e.g. treatment with approved repellents, move animals to locations within the holding where fewer biting flies).
Change needles when treating animals.

General measures to reduce the risk of LSD and other diseases: 

Disinfectant footbath at the entrance of the stable.
Disposable boot covers and suits for the visitors.
Disinfection and disinfestation of vehicles prior to and after movements.
Raise awareness at livestock keepers, field veterinarians and animal health workers levels and encourage reporting to the central veterinary authority.

Avoid: 

Contacts between animals of different herds (e.g. on pasture).
Grazing areas where nuisance flies are very abundant.
Sharing animals, tools, vehicles, and personnel with other farms.

Awareness of the herd may be at risk. It is very important to check regularly all the animals and report to a veterinarian or veterinarian service.

Monitoring

The section and the table below offer an overview of monitoring for lumpy skin disease. This information can be used for forecasting within a national early warning system (EWS). Since EWS capacities and processes differ across countries, the most current and specific information regarding EWS should be obtained from the appropriate national or regional agency/authority responsible for disaster management.

Which institution(s) produce(s) Disaster Risk Data/Information?

FAO Reference Centres, WOAH Reference Centres,

How is the Hazard Observed/Monitored/Forecast?

FAO empres-i+ https://empres-i.apps.fao.org/diseases

WOAH WAHIS https://wahis.woah.org/#/event-management