Oficial and unofficial events of Lumpy Skin Diseases observation date from 1/7/2019 - 19/8/2020, Asia and Russian Federation

Background Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) is a vector-borne viral disease that affects domestic cattle and buffaloes and is characterized by the appearance of skin nodules. The disease can result in substantial economic losses in affected countries given the heavy impact in productivity levels (cattle production, milk yields and animal health and welfare conditions) and trade disruptions. In addition to mechanical vectors, transmission may occur through consumption of contaminated feed or water, direct contact between animals, natural mating or artificial insemination. Spillover is strongly related to seasonal aspects, vector population and animal movements. Though there are multiple commercially available vaccines, with varying success at prevention of disease, large-scale vaccination with broad geographic coverage is still the most effective way to limit spread of this disease.

Disease situation in Asia In July 2019, LSD was reported for the first time in the People’s Republic of Bangladesh with additional outbreaks in many areas of the country. In 2019, the disease was also reported for the first time in the People’s Republic of China (August 2019) and in the Republic of India (November 2019). In July 2020, LSD was reported again in the People’s Republic of China. In China, Between 15 July and 15 August 2020, 5 LSD outbreaks were reported, in Leye County (15 July) and Tianlin County (20 July) in Baise City. In addition, 19 outbreaks on 6 August 2020 in Taiwan province were reported. China is conducting emergency vaccination.

In Western and Central Asia and Caucasus, LSD continued to be reported in Georgia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Israel, West Bank and Syrian Arab Republic during the period 2018-2019, and in 2016 and 2017 the disease was reported also from Georgia, Armenia, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and, for the first time, from Kazakhstan. In 2014-2015 LSD was reported also in Armenia, Azerbaijan, in the island of Cyprus (in the areas not under the effective control of the Republic of Cyprus), Turkey, Kuwait, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Saudi Arabia. LSD is considered widely present in Turkey, where in 2019, 131 LSD outbreaks were reported. A decrease of LSD events had been observed between 2014 and 2016 (when 100% compensation plan and mandatory vaccine campaigns were applied), but then, from 2017 to 2019, the number of reported outbreaks started to see an increase.

Risk assessment Preliminary risk assessment results showed that the risk of LSD introduction and spread to Viet Nam is high with low to moderate uncertainty. Short spread can occur quickly and progressively from China through vectors. Longer spread could occur through cattle/buffalo informal trade (truck or foot) since China does not export to Viet Nam. If informal trade occur with trucks, vectors can also be transported to Viet Nam. Cattle/Buffalo Products do not constitute a major risk as compared to live animal trade/vector.

FAO Viet Nam actions

FAO Viet Nam has been working closely with Viet Nam Department of Animal Health (DAH) to increase awareness about the disease, assess the current situation and managing the risk of LSD introduction and spread;

• Shared risk communication materials (in Vietnamese) on LSD recognition for farmers and veterinarians;
• Reinforce control of animal movements and the trade of animal products (including semen);
• Reinforce biosecurity measures at border control points (e.g. quarantine stations, animal surveillance).

At FAO Rome, an Incident Coordination Group (ICG) was activated in December 2019 covering India and Bangladesh and has been extended to all Asia.