Molecular epidemiology of lumpy skin disease outbreak in Odisha, India

Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) is the causative agent of lumpy skin disease (LSD) which is a member of Capripoxvirus. It is an economically critical transboundary disease affecting cattle. This study records an LSD outbreak in Ganjam district of Odisha, India during August 2020. The epidemiological data were analysed and LSDV was genetically characterized. Out of the 452 animals clinically examined (59 farms), 63 animals were clinically affected with LSD, with a total morbidity rate of 13.93%. The morbidity rates in the surveyed villages (n = 10) varied from 5.55 to 21.62%. The multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that grazing of animals (P = 0.013; OR: 2.04; 95% CI: 1.16-3.57) and age of cows > 3 years old (P = 0.001; OR: 2.90; 95% CI: 1.65- 5.07) were potential risk factors for the presence of LSD. Out of the 53 clinically suspected animals' samples, 18 samples (33.96%) were found positive for both the P32 and F genes of Capripoxvirus by PCR. Phylogenetic analysis of the P32 gene of LSDV (MW147486) showed 100% similarity with other isolates from India, Bangladesh, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Additionally, phylogenetic analysis of the F gene of LSDV (MW147485) revealed a similarity of 97.99%, with Odisha India (MT074110) isolate and located in the same cluster with other Indian isolates.