LSD symposium - Z. Fatima- Investigation of suspected outbreaks of lumpy skin disease in Southern Punjab, Pakistan

1. Investigation of suspected Outbreaks of Lumpy Skin
Disease in Southern Punjab, Pakistan
How Science can Support Disease Management and Control
Dr. ZAHIDA FATIMA, Principal scientific Officer
Animal sciences Division, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, Pakistan

2. Zahida Fatima* 1, Arshad Mehmood 2, Hamid Irshad 3, Muhammad
Abubakar4 , Aetzaz Ahsan3, Shumaila Manzoor 4 , Abdul Razzaq1, Zia ul
Hassan1, M. Afzal2
Affiliations: Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, Islamabad, Pakistan 1,
Food and Agriculture organization of United Nations, Islamabad, Pakistan 2 ,
Animal Sciences Institute ,NARC ,Islamabad, Pakistan 3 , National Veterinary
Laboratory, Park Road, Islamabad 4
Corresponding Author Email *: drzahidavet@gmail.com
List
List of Authors

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Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an emerging infectious disease
affecting cattle and water buffaloes. Being Transboundary in
nature, LSD hit many south eastern countries in recent past
and same is the case in Pakistan.
On 28th October,2021, The FAO-FMD project, Pakistan
received information from livestock department, South
Punjab, that there were some animals at 2 dairy farms
showing symptoms like, fever, nodular skin lesions, nasal
and lachrymal discharge, swollen lymph nodes, and
reduced milk production.
Back ground Information
INTRODUCTION
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The field veterinary staff suspected these symptoms similar to that
of Lumpy skin disease. After having discussion with livestock
department authorities Bahawalpur (South Punjab), in order to
carry out necessary investigations and for recommending the
appropriate control measures, the project immediately arranged a
team to visit the affected area on 3rd November,2021.
A questionnaire was designed to be used to investigate this
suspected outbreak along with sample collection kit.
INTRODUCTION
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A Cross sectional study was carried out by visiting the affected villages
along with local veterinary staff and active cases findings were done.
Keeping in view the Vector transmission nature, important epidemiological
information like environmental conditions, presence of Mosquitoes, flies,
and ticks, etc. were also recorded.
Semi-structured interview was done on both farms and all the information
was collected on a predesigned questionnaire. The team also conducted
walk around the farms and interviewed the owners, helpers and close
relatives to collect other epidemiological information linked to the spread
of disease.
.
Material and Methods
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The working case definition for suspected LSD was any animal
having at least two of the below symptoms:
Fever, nodular skin lesions, nasal and lachrymal discharge, swollen
lymph nodes, and reduced milk production.
Samples were collected from animals that meet the case definition
for suspected LSD. A total of 70 samples including serum, blood, skin
scabs, and swabs (ocular, nasal. oral) were collected randomly from
all clinically affected 8 animals representing cattle and calves.
The collected samples have been handed over to the National
Veterinary Laboratory and Animal Health Program (NARC)
Islamabad for further investigation.
Case Definition and Sample collection
M & M
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The samples collected were tested through real-time PCR for the detection
of LSDV using ID Gene LSD DIVA Triplex real-time PCR kit. The percentage of
positive sample was 70% which showed high prevalence of LSD in the area.
Results
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• The samples collected from different outbreaks were characterized by
conventional and real-time PCR. In Pakistan, LSD emerged in Oct 2021,
hitting Bahawalpur and then spreading to Tando Jam, Thatta and
Jamshoro. The infected animals manifested clinical signs which were
similar to those reported in the OIE’s Terrestrial animal health Code.
• Although the source of disease could not be determined however the
possible explanation for the incursion of disease is cattle in Pakistan is
the movement of animals from across border with India, Afghanistan
and Iran associated with trade.
• Neighboring countries like India and Bangladesh also reported to be
infected with LSD in the year 2021.
Discussion
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1. Immediately following vaccination should be done in the affected area
and around 20 km radius of the affected area:
a) “Homologous” LSDV live attenuated vaccine strain for example
“Neethling” LSD strain .
In case if above vaccine is not available, the best option is to use the
following vaccine:
b) “Heterologous” sheep pox or goat pox virus live attenuated vaccine
strain.
2. A constant diseases surveillance comprising Clinical, virological and
serological Surveillance should have been initiated in Bahawalpur region
specially near Border area.
Recommendations
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3. Restrict visitors to the farm
4. Do not send the infected animals for common grazing and drinking
water place
5. Separate sick & healthy animals. For this purpose, wind direction be kept
in mind
6. A proper vector control program should be started.
7. Hospital visit of sick animals should be discouraged and proper biosafety
and biosecurity measures should be adopted and should start the
awareness sessions for the farmers regarding this and also about the
disease.
Lumpy Skin Disease symposium, Rome, March 2023

11. Protecting people, animals, and the environment every day
Drawings: FAO/Chiara Caproni