No Lumpy Skin Disease in Punjab, Secretary Livestock declared 

Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) is a contagious viral disease primarily affecting cattle, buffaloes, and wild animals. Secretary Livestock Punjab has declared that there are still no cases of Lumpy Skin Disease in Punjab. Moreover, the Animal Husbandry Commissioner’s Office has issued guidelines for Lumpy Skin Disease Control and LSD Sampling. Lumpy Skin Disease Symptoms, Lumpy Skin Disease Diagnosis, Lumpy Skin Disease Transmission, public health concern and other aspects have been highlighted along with the action plan. It has no public health concern.

The disease causes severe economic losses due to decreased milk production, poor body condition, abortions, temporary or permanent infertility, and damage to hides. The causative agent is the Lumpy Skin Disease Virus (LSDV), classified under the genus Capripoxvirus and the family Poxviridae. LSD has emerged as a widespread epidemic across Asia, Africa, and Europe. The disease is mainly spread by arthropod vectors like mosquitoes, biting flies, and ticks, making it a significant concern for livestock farmers and animal health authorities. Lumpy Skin Disease Symptoms Control is highly important for national food security and national economy.

No Lumpy Skin Disease in Punjab

The Secretary of Livestock Punjab, in a high-level meeting, has declared that there is no LSD in Punjab. He stated in a high-level meeting on Lumpy Skin Disease Symptoms Control and current status. The department has taken measures, and we will not spread the disease. Field force is in action, and interprovincial checkpoints are monitoring the animal movement.

AHC Office Guidelines for Lumpy Skin Disease Control

Animal Husbandry Commissioner’s Office has issued guidelines for Lumpy Skin Disease Control Covering the following aspects

Lumpy Skin Disease Symptoms

The Lumpy Skin Disease Symptoms typically appear within a few days of infection and include high fever (often exceeding 41°C) and the sudden development of cutaneous nodules measuring 2–5 cm in diameter. These nodules are found on the head, neck, limbs, udder, genitalia, and perineum. Over time, some nodules may become necrotic and fibrotic, persisting as hard “sitfasts” or healing with permanent scarring. Affected animals may exhibit enlarged lymph nodes, swelling of the limbs and ventral body parts, and mucosal ulcers in the mouth, digestive, and respiratory tracts.

Additional Lumpy Skin Disease symptoms include myiasis of nodules, conjunctivitis, rhinitis, excessive salivation, depression, anorexia, and weight loss. Infected bulls may experience infertility, while pregnant cows may abort or enter prolonged anoestrus.

Transmission LSD 

LSD is primarily transmitted through blood-feeding vectors such as mosquitoes (Culex mirificens, Aedes natrionus), biting flies (Stomoxys calcitrans, Biomyia fasciata), and ticks (Riphicephalus appendiculatus, Amblyomma hebraeum). Although the virus has been isolated in the semen of infected bulls, transmission through artificial insemination remains unconfirmed. Direct animal-to-animal contact plays only a minor role in spreading the disease, and there is no conclusive evidence of transmission through fomites such as contaminated feed, water, or equipment.

Diagnosis of LSD 

Accurate and early diagnosis of Lumpy Skin Disease is crucial for effective control. Laboratories can confirm LSD outbreaks using WOAH-recommended diagnostic tests. Skin nodules, scabs, and crusts are rich in viral load and serve as ideal samples for virus isolation. LSDV can also be detected in blood, saliva, nasal and ocular secretions, and occasionally in semen. Laboratories need to be equipped and personnel trained to perform these tests promptly to control the disease’s spread.

Public Health Concern

Lumpy Skin Disease poses no risk to human health, as it is a non-zoonotic disease. Meat derived from infected animals—particularly skeletal muscle (boneless meat), gelatin, collagen, casings, tallow, hooves, and horns—is safe for human consumption. The virus does not survive in these products, making them safe for trade and use.

گوشت کھایا جا سکتا، لمپی سے انسانوں کو کوئی خطرہ نہیں؛ آغا خان ہاسپٹل، عالمی ادارہ صحت حیوانات اور چیف ویٹ پاکستان کی وضاحت

لمپی سکن بیماری سے انسانوں کو خطرہ نہیں، دودھ اور گوشت محفوظ؛ نیشنل پریس کلب میں گفتگو

Short-Term Action Plan for Lumpy Skin Disease Control 

Immediate control and prevention measures are vital to contain LSD outbreaks. These include:

• Awareness and Communication: Educating veterinarians, para-veterinary staff, and livestock farmers about LSD’s symptoms, control strategies, and the importance of early reporting.
• Diagnostic Preparedness: Strengthening diagnostic labs and training laboratory staff to ensure timely detection.
• Vaccination: Using DRAP-registered homologous LSD vaccines through provincial livestock departments with robust cold chain management and post-vaccination monitoring.
• Movement Restrictions: Limiting animal movement from affected areas unless animals are vaccinated at least 28 days prior.
• Vector Control: Reducing mosquito, tick, and fly populations through insecticides and farm hygiene.
• Disinfection: Cleaning infected premises and animals with disinfectants and detergents.
• Symptomatic Treatment: Providing supportive care to sick animals.
• Hygienic Practices: Using sterilized or new needles to prevent iatrogenic transmission during treatment or vaccination.

Long-Term Action Plan for Lumpy Skin Disease Control 

Sustained efforts are needed to monitor and control LSD over the long term:

• Surveillance: Conducting targeted clinical, virological, and serological surveillance, especially in high-risk regions, as per WOAH’s Terrestrial Animal Health Code guidelines.
• Training and Capacity Building: Continued education for veterinary professionals and field workers.
• Knowledge Resources: Referring to authoritative guidelines such as the WOAH’s LSD vaccination FAQs for up-to-date recommendations (Link to FAQs).
• Policy Support: Coordinating with national and international stakeholders for updated disease management strategies and reporting mechanisms.

Reporting to Animal Husbandry Commissioner (AHC)

To facilitate timely policy decisions and maintain transparency with international partners, Provincial Livestock Departments are required to report LSD outbreaks to the Animal Husbandry Commissioner (AHC) / Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) of Pakistan. Weekly reports should be submitted every Monday using the prescribed format (Annex-II). These reports help inform the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and Pakistan’s trading partners, ensuring coordinated response efforts and maintaining trade credibility.

Guidelines for LSD Sampling

Lumpy Skin Disease is a vector-borne poxvirus affecting domestic cattle and water buffaloes, characterized by nodular skin lesions.

Preferred Samples for Diagnosis:

• For PCR & Virus Isolation:
  • Skin lesions, scabs, other affected tissues (preferred)
  • Saliva and nasal swabs (easy for PCR)
• Blood Samples:
  • EDTA tube (purple cap) for PCR
  • Heparin tube (green cap) for virus isolation
  • Plain tube (red cap) for antibody detection (ELISA or Serum Neutralization)
• Swabs:
  • Saliva, nasal, and ocular swabs in viral transport medium (VTM)
• Skin Samples:
  • Full-thickness nodular skin sample in transport medium

See Detailed Guidelines and Action Plan, Click here 

Editor In Chief

Dr. Jassar Aftab is a qualified Veterinarian having expertise in veterinary communication. He is a renowned veterinary Journalist of Pakistan. He is veterinary columnist, veterinary writer and veterinary analyst. He is the author of three books. He has written a number of articles and columns on different topics related to livestock, dairy, poultry, wildlife, fisheries, food security and different aspects of animal sciences and veterinary education.

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