Epidemiological characterization of lumpy skin disease outbreaks in Russia in 2016

Abstract

In 2015, the lumpy skin disease virus spread throughout the Russian Federation. Following a modified stamping-out campaign, the disease re-emerged with a greater incidence across 16 regions of Southern and Central Russia. A total of 313 outbreaks were reported to OIE. The highest outbreak frequency was observed in the republics of Chechnya (108), Kalmykiya (57), and Ingushetiya (35). The disease cases predominantly occurred in June and July 2016, starting from May to December; however, no association between outbreaks and altitudes was identified (p > .05). Samples taken from infected cattle were subjected to PCR analysis, which identified the genome of the virus most frequently in skin nodules (78%), nasal swabs (23.4%), blood (13%) and sera (14.5%). Interestingly, LSDV genome was occasionally identified in lung and milk samples. Based on the PRO30 sequence analysis, lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) strains circulating in Russia were all identical and fell within the cluster of field LSDV found worldwide.

Detection of vaccine-like lumpy skin disease virus in cattle and Musca domestica L. flies in an outbreak of lumpy skin disease in Russia in 2017

“…Several aspects of epidemiology of LSDV remain unclear including how the virus transmits so efficiently and rapidly in summer months. Analyses of LSDV outbreaks in Russia in 2016 indicate that the highest number of outbreaks was reported in warm months, June and July (Sprygin et al, ), which is consistent with vector‐borne transmission. However, different vectors could operate under diverse climatic conditions; therefore, it is important to look at which vectors are responsible for transmission in different geographic areas.…”

“…() indicated that in Israel, the abundance of S. calcitrans statistically correlates with the occurrence of LSDV; however, the true role for the stable fly in LSDV epidemiology still remains obscure (Chihota et al., ). In Russia, the stable fly occurs only in late July–early August (Aubakirov, ), but the outbreak began in early July, which also conflicts with the biological cycle of S. calcitrans in that region, as LSDV outbreaks may start appearing as early as spring (Sprygin et al, ).…”

“…Historically, LSD was restricted to southern and eastern Africa; however, recent unprecedented incursions of LSD into Turkey, Greece and Russia emphasized the need for monitoring and preventing this disease to avoid economic losses. Russia was free of LSDV before 2015; however, after the containment of the first outbreaks in Caucasus in 2015, LSDV reemerged in 2016 and spread through a vast area in the south of Russia (Sprygin et al, ).…”

Determination of lumpy skin disease virus in bovine meat and offal products following experimental infection

“…Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an economically devastating viral disease at both the regional and the national levels (Molla, de Jong, Gari, & Frankena, ). It is a transboundary disease, that can spread beyond an outbreak area and reach epidemic proportions (Casal et al., ; Sprygin, Artyuchova, et al., 2018a). The economic losses associated with the forced slaughter of weak animals, treatment of secondary microbial infections, vaccination costs and trade restrictions place a heavy burden on farmers and impede economic growth in the affected areas.…”

“…Other possible mechanisms involving contaminated semen, shared water troughs, direct contact between infected and susceptible animals, intrauterine transmission, and via contaminated milk or skin lesions in the mother's udder and teats to a calf have also been suggested (Ali, Ali, Atta, & Cepica, ; Annandale, Holm, Ebersohn, & Venter, ; Rouby & Aboulsoud, ; Weiss, ). However, these modes cannot completely explain the speed at which outbreaks occur in the field and sweep across a wide area (Sprygin, Artyuchova, et al., 2018a; Mercier et al., ).…”