3. West Africa: Lumpy skin disease detected in cattle (Panapress)

| September 29, 2008

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At the beginning of September, lumpy skin disease was detected in cattle in four West African countries: Mali, Mauritania, Senegal, and Togo.

Lumpy skin disease is a viral disease carried by mosquitoes and flies. It causes skin lesions on all parts of the animal’s body. Fever is another symptom.

According to Dr. Justin Akakpo, of the École inter-États des sciences et medicine vétérinaire in Dakar, Senegal, cattle, domestic buffalos, and giraffes are particularly vulnerable to the disease.

The disease can decrease milk production and cause fertility disorders and spontaneous abortions, leading to economic losses for farmers.

There is no specific treatment for the disease. Strong antibiotic therapy may help prevent other infections.

For more information on symptoms and methods of preventing the disease, please see: http://www.oie.int/eng/maladies/fiches/a_a070.htm.