​Lumpy Skin Disease: Emerging Concern for Livestock Owners: A Review

Lumpy skin disease is a transboundary viral disease that affects cattle and buffaloes. It is caused by lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) of genus Capripoxvirus and Poxviridae family. It is now spreading in a rapid pace in many countries especially in South Asia. The primarily noticeable symptoms of the disease include a lump like formation on the outer skin and mucosal membrane of buffaloes and cattle. It is an arthropod vector borne disease. LSD causes high morbidity and low to moderate mortality in the affected herd. It also often causes abortion in pregnant animal and infertility in male. Milk production is also reduced in affected milch animals. Strict quarantine, control of vector population and vaccination are some of the effective precautionary measures to control the ailment. Present mini-review highlighted various risk factors, transmission, clinical signs as well as precautionary measures to control LSD.