Abstract
Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) is a viral disease affecting cattle and water buffaloes, caused by
Lumpy Skin Disease Virus (LSDV). Infected animals typically develop numerous sikn nodules across
the body, along with clinical signs such as fever, decreased milk production, and abortion. The
nodular skin lesions and necrotic, detached tissues (sit-fast) contain high concentrations of the virus
and, due to the virus’s high environmental stability, serve as important sources of horizontal
transmission. However, LSDV transmission is primarily mediated by blood-feeding arthropod
vectors such as biting midges, stable flies, and ticks. Therefore, vector control measures are
essential for preventing the incursion of LSD into farms. Live attenuated vaccines are effective and
is widely used for the prevention of the disease; however, in many affected countries the disease
has not been eradicated. In Asia, since the first outbreak in China in 2019, LSD has continued to
spread in Southeast and East Asian countries. In Japan, the first case was confirmed in a daily farm
in Fukuoka Prefecture in November 2024. Although no new cases have been reported since
January of this year (as of June 20), ongoing outbreaks in neighboring countries indicate that the
risk of reintroduction remains high.
