This archive report was first published on 3 July 2020.
July 3, 2020
As a veterinarian, I have encountered numerous cases of lumpy skin disease (LSD) in dairy cattle. However, the recent outbreak on a farm in Naivasha left me particularly concerned. The farm's manager, Jane, called me to seek advice on how to respond to the situation.
Upon learning that one milking cow had come down with LSD, I immediately asked why the animals had not been vaccinated against the disease. I recalled providing a vaccination schedule to the farm, which included routine administration of vaccines annually and bi-annual administration of vaccines for diseases like foot and mouth disease.
However, Jane explained that the farm had recently experienced a high turnover of managers, disrupting the vaccination program. We agreed that vaccination needed to be reviewed and brought up to date immediately.
My containment strategy involved isolating the sick animal to prevent contact with the other animals. I instructed the farm's staff to wash all the other animals with a pyrethroid chemical to protect them from fly and mosquito bites. Additionally, I organized the vaccination of all healthy cattle above three months old within 24 hours of being washed.
It is essential to note that LSD is spread by biting flies, mosquitoes, and ticks, and animal health service providers may also spread the disease through vaccination needles used on infected animals. To minimize the risk of transmission, I emphasized the importance of proper vaccination techniques and hygiene practices.
When I arrived on the farm two days later to carry out vaccination, I found three other animals had come down with the mild form of LSD. Two heifers had swollen limbs and a few small lumps on the skin, while one heifer had a swollen leg and an infected oozing wound. I treated the animals with antibiotics and anti-inflammatories and instructed the farm staff to clean the wound with iodine solution and dilute hydrogen peroxide daily for three days.
Despite the initial concerns, the vaccination program seemed to be effective in containing the disease. I vaccinated 160 cattle, comprising pregnant and milking cows, young stock, and calves older than three months. However, I did not vaccinate calves below three months to avoid interfering with their maternal immunity and causing infection with the virus.
It is crucial to understand that vaccinating animals below three months can neutralize the maternal antibodies and leave the calves open to infection. I was encouraged by the fact that only a few animals had come down with the disease, and I hoped that the rest of the herd would retain sufficient immunity to fight the virus.
