Prevalence and Management Strategies for Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in Cattle: Emphasizing a Region-Based Scenario in Bangladesh

The emergence of lumpy skin disease (LSD) in Bangladesh since 2019 is indeed concerning, and addressing its prevalence and control strategies is crucial for ensuring the health and well-being of cattle and preventing economic losses in farming and livestock. The objective of this study was to evaluate the present situation of LSD and its clinical managemental steps among various farms in Rajshahi district, located in the northwest region of Bangladesh. We collected data from Tanore, Paba, Bagha, Bagmara, Puthia, and Godagari upazilas in Rajshahi district between September 1, 2022 and December 30, 2022. We used a structured questionnaire and observed a total of 39 small farms and 99 cattle. We diagnosed LSD based on the clinical signs outlined in the OIE manual and analyzed the data using Microsoft Office Excel and SPSS statistical software. The study found that LSD had the highest morbidity rate (71.42%), mortality rate (7.14%), and case fatality rate (10%) in Tanore and Puthia upazilas in Rajshahi. Newly mature female animals (2–4 years) showed a higher susceptibility (36.23%) to LSD infection, followed by young bull cattle (2–4 years) at 33.33%. Bull and heifer calves were also susceptible to experiencing fatalities due to the infection of LSD. One of the significant clinical manifestations, Limb swelling, was most prevalent (18.18%) with LSD-positive young, mature cattle (2–4 years). We identified farm hygiene practices as crucial for LSDV distribution, with a higher proportion of LSD-affected cattle (42.43%) on poorly managed farms compared to those with good (1.01%) and medium (25.26%) hygiene practices. Despite the potential benefits of mosquito nets for controlling insects, most animal owners (89.74%) did not use them at night in cattle houses. The economic impact of LSD on the cattle industry underscores the importance of extensive epidemiological studies and the isolation, identification, and genome sequencing of LSDV from samples nationwide.