Risk of recurrence of lumpy skin disease in buffaloes and cows
(Baonghean.vn) - The lumpy skin disease epidemic in buffaloes and cows in Nghe An has been basically controlled for more than a year now, but according to experts, because local authorities and breeders have not been determined in vaccinating, this epidemic is at high risk of re-emerging.
Symptoms of lumpy skin disease
SickLumpy skin diseaseAlso known as lumpy skin disease, is an infectious disease caused by a virus of the Poxviridae family in buffalo and cattle; it does not cause disease in humans. Arthropod insects, such as mosquitoes, flies, ticks, gnats... are considered vectors of the disease. Some sick animals do not show clinical symptoms, but carry the virus in their blood and can transmit the disease to healthy animals through blood-sucking insects.
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An easily recognizable symptom of a cow with lumpy skin disease is the presence of many lumps on the skin. Photo: Archive |
In reality, lumpy skin disease has a high mortality rate because the disease often occurs in cattle and buffaloes due to other diseases such as respiratory, digestive, blood parasites, etc., or because they are not cared for or treated according to the instructions of veterinary staff.
Regarding symptoms, when buffaloes and cows are infected with lumpy skin disease, they often have the following signs: High fever, possibly over 41°C, loss of appetite, weakness, emaciation; marked reduction in milk yield in lactating cattle; rhinitis, conjunctivitis and excessive salivation; swollen superficial lymph nodes; formation of nodules with a diameter of 2 - 5 cm, especially on the scalp, neck, legs, udder, etc. within 48 hours of starting a fever reaction. These nodules are round, firm and raised above the skin, subcutaneous tissue and sometimes the underlying muscles.
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When a herd of cattle shows symptoms of lumpy skin disease, farmers need to report to local authorities for timely disease prevention solutions. Photo courtesy |
Large nodules may become necrotic, leading to fibrosis and persisting for several months; scarring may be permanent. Blisters, necrosis and ulcers may appear in the mucous membranes of the mouth and digestive tract as well as in the trachea and lungs. The legs and other abdominal parts of the body, such as the skin, breast, scrotum, etc., may secrete fluid, making the animal reluctant to move.
With the participation of specialized agencies and authorities at all levels, the work of preventing and controlling lumpy skin disease from the end of 2021 to now has been basically controlled in a small area, not allowing it to spread, with only a few small outbreaks appearing in livestock households that did not vaccinate according to regulations.
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In September 2022, an outbreak of lumpy skin disease occurred in Lam Son commune, Do Luong district, but was controlled by veterinary agencies on a small scale. Photo: Xuan Hoang |
Vaccination to prevent disease
Although lumpy skin disease has been contained and controlled, there is a high risk of it re-emerging in the near future. According to the recommendations of the professional agency, vaccination only creates antibody titers for 1 year, and by now the immunity has disappeared, but local authorities and livestock farmers have not paid attention to the work.vaccinationdisease prevention. In 2022, spring vaccination in most localities has a very low rate of livestock, even some localities have a rate of less than 20% of the total herd. This is the reason why lumpy skin disease has a high risk of recurrence in the province's buffalo and cattle herds.
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Farmers need to clean the environment in the barn area to prevent diseases for livestock. Photo: Xuan Hoang |
According to Mr. Ngo Duc Quynh - Deputy Head of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, to proactively prevent lumpy skin disease in buffaloes and cows, vaccination is an extremely necessary factor, in order to minimize economic losses caused by the disease. After the rainy season, due to low vaccination rates combined with favorable weather for insects: flies, mosquitoes, ticks, gnats... to develop, along with pathogens in feces and waste drifting along the water to spread everywhere in the environment, leading to not only lumpy skin disease but also other infectious diseases outbreaks.
Therefore, the solution to prevent diseases in general for livestock is to promote vaccination; at the same time, regularly disinfect by sprinkling lime powder around the barn; farmers need to apply bio-safety farming to avoid pathogens from entering. When increasing the livestock herd, farmers need to find and buy breeds of clear origin and disease-free.
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Vaccination is an effective disease prevention solution for cattle. Photo: Quan An |
Especially during the rainy and stormy season, in low-lying areas, people should proactively build high-rise barns, or use floating materials such as barrels combined into floating rafts, to provide shelter for livestock when flooded, along with preparing dry food for livestock.
“The most effective solution to prevent lumpy skin disease in particular and diseases in general for livestock is annual vaccination. Therefore, localities need to give strong instructions for livestock farmers to ensure a vaccination rate of at least 80% of the total herd; at the same time, do a good job of reporting when re-entering the herd.”
Nghe An has a total herd of about 800 thousand buffaloes and cows. In order for the livestock to develop safely, veterinary work in the province has always been focused on and directed promptly, so that diseases in livestock are basically well controlled. However, the lumpy skin disease epidemic situation still has the risk of becoming complicated, especially after prolonged heavy rains. Therefore, in addition to timely consultation from professional agencies with the Provincial People's Committee, local authorities at all levels and people need to do a good job of disease prevention, in which vaccination is the most effective solution./.
