Lumpy Skin Disease

Lumpy skin disease is a poxviral disease with significant morbidity in cattle. Although the mortality rate is generally low, economic losses result from loss of condition, decreased milk production, abortions, infertility and damaged hides. The causative virus seems to be spread mainly by insects, and outbreaks can be widespread and difficult to control. Lumpy skin disease was confined to Africa at one time, but it has now become endemic in parts of the Middle East, and the virus is continuing to spread. Recent outbreaks were reported as far north as Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey and southern and eastern Europe. The virus was eradicated from some countries, but not others. It has multiple arthropod vectors, including biting flies, midges, mosquitoes and ticks, and could become established in other parts of the world.