Lumpy skin disease (LSD)

Current Situation and Project

Activities Proposal to EFSA for

Support

Bulgarian Focal Point

Snezhana Todorova

RAC – BFSA - Bulgaria

Definition

• Lumpy skin disease – LSD is a viral disease in

Large Ruminants with fever,lymphadenopathy,

edema of sub-skin tissues and mucosaes as

well in internal organs.

• It’s connected with appearance of nodules in

skin tissues well seen on a trunk of affected

animals.

• It’s cousin by Pox Virus belonging to the

Genus Capripoxvirus on a Family Poxviridae.

• In Greece LSD was first recorded on 18-th August

in prefecture Evros with 2 EO near to the Turkish

border.

• For a week later were notified 20 secondary

outbreaks alongside the river Evros - north and

become real thereat to Bulgaria.

Spreading of LSD in prefecture Evros

alongside the river Maritza (Evros)

Prognosis for Bulgaria

• More further development of the epidemics will

show us what the measures we can applied if LSDV

will penetrate this year either from Greece, either

form Turkey.

Prognosis for Bulgaria was

estimated worse !!!

• The most risky areas for virus penetration are

the municipalities alongside the rivers in South

Bulgaria – Svilengrad, Lubimetz, Harmanly,

Elhovo, Topolovgrad, Madjarovo, Ivajlovgrad,

Momchilgrad, Djebel, Satovcha, Hadjidimovo,

Petrich.

Preliminary agreements and

correspondence for preparing

draft project with EFSA

1. Discussion between RAC and EFSA units (ALPHA

and AFSCO);

2. Teleconference between RAC – BFSA and EFSA

experts.

Proposal to EFSA for Support

of Balkan Countries Regional Project on LSD

• Draft title:

“Analysis of epidemiological data and

strengthening cooperation between countries

from South East Europe with the support of

EFSA to effectively contain further spread of

Lumpy Skin Disease”

Proposed Draft Activities • Collection and collation of data for epidemiological

analysis regarding LSD situation in Europe.

• Development of a spatio-temporal analysis and

predictive models for disease spreading in different

scenarios;

• Intensive entomological investigations and analysis

for identifying competent vectors, spreading LSDV in

the Balkan region countries;

• Determining seasonal dynamics and daily activities of

the identified competent vectors. Harmonization of a

vector collecting protocols and methodology and

development of standard operating procedures

(SOPs) for different vector types;

• Analysis of the applied disease prevention and control strategies and measures and identifying of the vulnerabilities of the animal health systems in the project countries;

• Analysis of the consequences in different scenarios with and without vaccination and exit strategies (vaccination to live and vaccination for slaughtering).

• Harmonize the strategy for prevention and control of LSD in the affected countries in the Region, based on the results from the efficacy of vaccinations. To assess the immune potency of the vaccine used and to optimize vaccination schemes in the field conditions;

• Carry out intensive PCR analysis for detection LSDV genome segments in captured blood suckling vectors (mosquitoes, flies, ticks);

Preliminary agreements and correspondence

EFSA and the European Commission are arranging the

Workshop “Strengthening regional cooperation in

South East Europe and Middle East for prevention

and control of Lumpy Skin Disease” to occur on 11-

12 May 2016 in EC premises, Brussels, Belgium.

Preliminary agreements and correspondence

The aim of the workshop is to increase the awareness on the epidemiological situation of LSD and to improve cooperation at regional level for LSD surveillance, prevention and control by:

- establishing synergies;

- identifying specific needs and possible instruments to satisfy them;

- sharing of best practices;

- preparing a list of shared recommendations valid for LSD and other transboundary diseases.

Preliminary agreements and correspondence

The expected outputs of this workshop will be:

• To update and exchange information on LSD

epidemiology in the different regions

concerned;

• to highlight the country specific needs in order

to increase the preparedness for LSD control;

• to share best practices;

• to promote coordinated actions at regional

level ensuring coherence and synergies;

• to encourage cooperation;

• to optimise use of resources;

• to prepare a list of shared recommendations for

the LSD prevention and control, with an

indication of the recommendations to be

considered valid for the prevention and control

of other transboundary diseases, in order to

allow for a systematic approach. This will be

part of a report that will be shared and

endorsed by the participants;

• to identify the most suitable instruments and/or

funding bodies in order to satisfy the

identified needs.

Thank you for the attention!