“A New Virus Is Found In Animals-“

According to reports, the disease has been found in several Indian states like Assam, Odissa, Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka, chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh etc. It is an infectious disease in cattle caused by a virus of the family Poxviridae also known as needling virus. This disease is spread over by fever, enlarged lymph nodes & multiple nodules on skin and mucous membranes.

It was first seen as epidemic in lambia in 1929. Intially it was thought to be result of either poisoning or hypersensitivity to insect bites, also in 1943& 1945 in Botswana, Zimbabwe & now in Pakistan.

Symptoms-

Infected cattle develop fever, lacrimation, nasal discharge and hypersalivation, followed by the characteristics eruptions on the skin and other parts of the body in 50% of cattle. Incubation period is 4-14days. Clinical findings of lumpy skin disease in cattle-. The nodules are well circumscribed, round,slightly raised, firm, and painful and involve the entire cutis and the mucosa of the GI, respiratory, and genital tracts. Nodules may develop on the muzzle and within the nasal and buccal mucous membranes. The skin nodules contain a firm, creamy-gray or yellow mass of tissue. Regional lymph nodes are swollen, and edema develops in the udder, brisket, and legs. Secondary infection sometimes occurs and causes extensive suppuration and sloughing; as a result, the animal may become extremely emaciated, and euthanasia may be warranted. In time, the nodules either regress, or necrosis of the skin results in hard, raised areas (“sit-fasts”) clearly separated from the surrounding skin. These areas slough to leave ulcers, which heal and scar.

Treatment and Prevention of Lumpy skin disease in Cattle-. Attenuated virus vaccines may help control spread of lumpy skin disease in recent years beyond its ancestral home of Africa is alarming. Quarantine restrictions have proved to be of limited use. Vaccination with attenuated virus offers the most promising method of control and was effective in halting the spread of the disease in the Balkans.Administration of antibiotics to control secondary infection and good nursing care are recommended, but the large number of affected animals within a herd may preclude treatment.

Lumpy skin disease is now occurred at regional problem that requires high level of awareness at technical and political level. Government need to take strict action against the disease .