Clinico-epidemiological Features of Lumpy Skin Disease Affecting Cattle in Chattogram District

Abstract

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a contagious viral, eruptive and one of the most economically important cattle diseases in Bangladesh that is characterized by the appearance of nodules on the skin and other parts of the body. The present study was conducted to evaluate the clinical features along with unveiling haematological picture, therapeutic choices to control secondary bacterial infections and the risk factors associated with LSD affecting cattle population in Chattogram district. The study was conducted at Upazila Veterinary Hospital, Boalkhali during 13 October – 12 December, 2019 by collecting clinico-epidemiological data using a pretested questionnaire. The questionnaire was filled in with taking interviews with the owners/farmers concerned. Blood samples were directly collected from 10 animals suffering from LSD and examined different parameters. A total 72 clinical cases of bovine animals were investigated. Out of them 32 were affected with LSD. Data collected were entered into MS excel 2013 and conducted descriptive and univariable statistical analysis by using STATA-IC-13 software. The study revealed that the highest prevalence of LSD was seen in Karnafully upazila (11.66%) and lowest in Mirsarai upazila (0.01%) of Chattogram district. The prevalence of the disease could be higher in cattle on smallholdings compared with on organized farms. Among the risk factors, female animals had a higher prevalence of the disease compared with male and indigenous cattle are comparatively less susceptible to the disease compared with exotic breeds or cross-bread cattle. Fever, skin lumps, lymph node enlargement, salivation, mild dehydration and anorexia were more common clinical signs for LSD. Among several complications identified cutaneous edema (18.7%) was recorded with the highest frequency. Haematological examination of the blood samples collected from LSD-affected animals revealed that the diseased animals were anemic because the erythrocyte count (TEC), hematocrit value (HCT), hemoglobin level (Hb) and RBC distribution width (RDW) parameters were below of their corresponding normal reference ranges. In the field, systemic antibiotics, such as amoxicillin, oxytetracycline and anti-inflammatory drugs were commonly used as supportive treatment for the disease. The findings of this study shed light for a better understanding of clinico-epidemiological picture of LSD that would be helpful in the overall management of LSD cases in Chattogram district.