Abstract:
Lumpy skin disease, which is caused by lumpy skin disease virus, is among the major health
problems affectingthe livestock industry of most African countries. Skin lesions are the major
sources of infection; although the virus isevacuated via different body secretions and
excretions including semen. Thus, susceptible hosts contract the virusprincipally by
mechanical means from hematophagous arthropods, including biting flies, mosquitoes and
ticks.Transstadial and transovarial persistence in varies species of ticks is also possible.
Following infection,characteristic lumpy skin disease lesions may explode from 7 to 14 days
post infection under experimentalconditions whereas in natural cases it takes 2 to 5 weeks. A
pronounced socio-economic collapse is driven by reduced quantity and quality of milk, udder
infection, thinness, low quality hides, loss of draught power, abortion, infertility, limitation to
meat ingestion, higher morbidity, etc. Animals of any age and gender are susceptible to the
disease. The morbidity rate varies according to the immune status of animals and frequency
of mechanical vectors. Lumpy skin disease is manifested by distinguishing
firm,circumscribed, few (mild forms) to multiple (severe forms) skin nodules, which
sometimes involve mucousmembranes of respiratory system, urogenital system and other
internal organs. Subsequently, milk productionlessen, abortion, temporary or permanent
sterility, damage to hide and deaths will occur which further contribute to amomentous
economic loss in cattle producing countries. Therefore, large-scale vaccination combined
with otherappropriate control measures are the most effective way of limiting the spread and
economic impact due to lumpyskin disease. This review is designed with the aim of
providing, latest information on the biology of lumpy skindisease virus, mechanism of
spread, clinical and pathological features & role of Phytochemicals of lumpy skin disease.
