Lumpy skin disease in Belgian cattle and potential vectors: risk assessment, diagnosis, control, vaccination, transmission and vector competence studies to prevent the introduction and spread

Last updated on 14-12-2022 by Pierre Daubresse

Project duration:

January 1, 2016

-

December 31, 2018

In short

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a devastating viral disease in cattle that has recently been introduced in the EU in Greece. Since its introduction in Europe the disease is progressing northward and westward through the Balkans. Sciensano prepares Belgium for a potential future incursion of LSD virus.

Project description

The main objectives of this research project are:

to determine and quantify the risk factors for introduction and spread of lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) in cattle in Belgium
to develop the best control strategy to prevent the introduction and to stop the spread of LSDV in Belgium
to determine and develop the most suited diagnostic techniques to detect LSDV and antibodies to LSDV in the (vaccinated) cattle population in Belgium, including DIVA PCR
to determine if attenuated LSDV vaccines provide efficient and safe protection and if inactivated vaccines could be an efficient and safe alternative
to perform vector competence and transmission studies in cultured Culicoides and ticks and in captured biting flies, gnats and mosquitoes
to design the best possible contingency plan for LSDV in Belgium