Lumpy skin disease
Lumpy skin disease is a highly infectious viral disease that affects all breeds of cattle and water buffalo. It does not affect other types of livestock or humans.
It is primarily spread by biting insects such as mosquitoes, biting flies and possibly ticks. It can also be spread through direct contact between animals via secretions and excretions.
Contaminated feed, water, vehicles and iatrogenic means (eg repeated use of needles on different animals) can all spread the disease. Lumpy skin disease may be shed in semen and may be present in milk of infected animals.
Lumpy skin disease is a nationally notifiable disease. This means an animal showing suspect signs of the disease must be reported to a Local Land Services District Veterinarian on 1300 795 299 or the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
Clinical signs of lumpy skin disease
Lumpy skin disease affects cattle and buffalo. Signs may include:
- skin nodules turning into abscesses and scars are most obvious
- nose and eye discharge (often the first sign)
- enlarged lymph nodes
- fever
- swelling of limbs, brisket, and genitals may occur
- lameness from inflammation and oedema of the legs
- production losses.
What does lumpy skin disease look like?
The main distinguishing feature of LSD is skin nodules scattered throughout the body, especially on the flanks, back and lower parts of the abdomen.
- Firm raised skin nodules up to 50mm in diameter develop around the head, neck, genitals and limbs.
- Nodules can develop on any part of the body.
- Skin nodules can vary from 1cm to 7cm and penetrate the full thickness of the skin.
- Swollen skin nodules may separate from healthy skin and dry to and harden to form what is called a "sit-fast"
- Lesions may also be found on the nose and the mucous membranes of the oral and nasal cavities.
Following are a collection of images with the symptoms of lumpy skin disease. More are available at the Animal Health Australia website.
Lumpy skin disease in cattle - Skin nodules (Image: Dr Deepak Subedi)
Lumpy skin disease in cattle - Skin nodules (Image: Dr Deepak Subedi)
Lumpy skin disease in cattle - Skin nodules (Image: Dr Deepak Subedi)
Lumpy skin disease in cattle - Skin nodules (Image: Dr Deepak Subedi)
Lumpy skin disease in cattle - eye and nose discharge (Image: Dr Deepak Subedi)
The incubation period of Lumpy Skin Disease is between 4 and 14 days however the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Terrestrial Animal Health Code describes the incubation period as 28 days.
Bos taurus cattle are generally more susceptible than Bos indicus cattle. Young calves often have more severe disease.
Read more about lumpy skin disease (NSW DPI).
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