Today, the emergence of animal diseases in previously unaffected areas is no longer uncommon. Lumpy Skin Disease entered continental Europe in 2015 and spread through the Balkan Peninsula in less than a year. This issue looks at its epidemiology and diagnostics, and presents a range of approaches for control.

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a vector-borne disease of cattle and Asian water buffalo that is included on the OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health) list of notifiable diseases. In July 2019 LSD was introduced to Bangladesh, China and India and then spread to Nepal and Bhutan and in 2020 to various provinces of China and India. A qualitative risk assessment was conducted to assess the likelihood of introduction and/or spread of LSD in 23 countries in South, East and Southeast Asia based on information available up to 31 October 2020. The economic impact of LSD for South, East and Southeast countries was estimated to be up to USD 1.45 billion in direct losses of livestock and production. These losses may be higher, due to the severe trade implications for infected countries. This document provides an overview of LSD control approaches, including prevention. The cost-effectiveness estimation demonstrates a strong economic justification for vaccination and advocates for a regional approach to harmonize control measures.

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