On 28 May 2023, a new suspected outbreak of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in bovine has been notified in Israeli. The outbreak has been confirmed on 30/05/2023 with a positive real-time PCR result by the virology laboratory of the Kimron Veterinary Institute.

 

 

The infected dairy farm is localized at 1,5 km from the Gaza Strip, at Nahal Oz. The herd was composed of 350 lactating cows, 50 dry cows and 300 heifers; 16 heifers presented clinical symptoms, and one died.

 

 

The diseased heifers were from 10 to 13 months old and they were not vaccinated as the rest of the herd, due to their young age at the trial in June 2022.After the clinical manifestation of the disease, on 29/05/2023, all the cows in the farm over 3 months of age were vaccinated.

 

 

Other control measures applied are the surveillance and control of vectors, zooning of the area, movement control, quarantine and screening.

 

 

The lumpy skin disease is a Capripoxvirus highly host specific and causes the disease only in cattle (Bos indicus and B. taurus) and water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). The LSD is not a zoonosis, which means it does not affect human beings. Diseased animals can develop fever, emaciation, enlarged lymph nodes, oedema of the skin and nodules of the skin, mucosal and internal organs. Sometimes LSD can also cause death.

 

 

The origin of the notified infection is vectors. In fact, arthropods vectors are thought to be the main responsible for LSD transmission. Probably, the principal responsible for the virus transmission on field is the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, but also other biting flies, Culicoides and ticks may spread the disease. Direct contact probably is a minor route of LSD transmission.

 

 

The last event of LSD in Israel was notified on 2019. The disease is endemic in African countries and several outbreaks were notified through the Middle East, southeast Europe, the Balkans, Caucasus, Russia and Kazakhstan.

 

 

 

 

 

References

 

WAHIS: World Animal Health Information System

 

LUMPY SKIN DISEASE: Aetiology, Epidemiology, Diagnosis Prevention and Control References

 

OIE Terrestrial Manual 2021 Lumpy Skin disease