The lumpy skin disease virus has spread in Vietnam
By March 1, the disease had attacked roughly 1,000 cows and buffaloes in many districts in the central province of Ha Tinh Province and has tended to rise. The province is seeking the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for the import of 5,000 doses of vaccine for the disease.
Meanwhile, the disease has also appeared in the central province of Nghe An’s Nghi Loc Commune. Initially, six cows of four households in Nghi Van Commune were diagnosed with the disease.
Lumpy skin disease virus is a double-stranded DNA virus. It is a member of the capripoxvirus genus of Poxviridae and is not infectious to humans. It is believed that arthropod vectors, direct contact, contaminated feed and water and iatrogenic means (for example, repeated use of needles on different animals) can all spread the disease.
The incubation period is between 4- and 14-days post-infection. The infection rate among cows and buffaloes is around 10-20% with 1-5% being dead.
Under the ministry’s instructions, all animals tested positive for the disease would have to be culled. Meanwhile, all cattle which have not yet been hit by the disease need to be quarantined to ensure safety.
Areas which have been affected by the disease have to set up stations for the cattle transport control.
