Topic outline
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Lumpy skin disease microlearning
This collection of short, practical sessions is designed for official and regional veterinarians in the prevention and control of lumpy skin disease (LSD). Each microlearning delivers swift, up-to-date guidance on key aspects of lumpy skin disease.
Microlearning tools are user-friendly and focus on clinical signs, outbreak investigation, sampling, control, biosecurity and reporting. All resources are accessible at all times and allow for rapid consultation in the field. Start learning now and strengthen your capacity to detect, diagnose, and control LSD in your region.
To get started, please click the introduction section below:
Introduction
Introduction to LSD
Clinical Signs and Progression of LSD
Infection Routes and Transmission
Clinical Examination during an LSD Outbreak
Sampling and Diagnostic Methods
Lesions and Visual Identification
Control and Treatment of LSD
Biosecurity Measures and Disease Management
Differential diagnosis
Reporting, Documentation, and Legal Framework
Resources
Section X
Lumpy skin disease microlearning page
How to use this website:
This short video gives information on navigating this website and the page. If you have any problems with this website please contact the EuFMD Virtual Learning team on EuFMD-Admin@fao.org.
How are the contents organized?
- Introduction to lumpy skin disease (LSD)
- Clinical signs and progression of LSD
- Infection routes and transmission
- Clinical examination during an LSD outbreak
- Sampling and diagnostic methods
- Photo book of lesions and visual identification
- Control and treatment of LSD
- Biosecurity measures and disease management
- Differential diagnosis
- Reporting, documentation, and legal framework
What will you learn?
These microlearning tools will cover:
- Understand the importance, impact, and basic concepts of LSD
- Learn the clinical signs and stages of infection
- Understand the infection pathways for LSD and transmission mechanisms
- Learn how to conduct a systematic clinical examination for LSD
- Understand which samples to take and how to handle them for LSD diagnosis
- Familiarize with visual presentation of LSD through photographic evidence
- Learn the best practices for managing and controlling LSD outbreaks
- Understand biosecurity measures necessary to prevent the spread of LSD
- Learn how to distinguish LSD from other diseases
- Understand how to record, report, and document LSD cases during an outbreak
Learn the key facts about lumpy skin disease (LSD) in cattle in this short video.Discover how LSD spreads, its impact on animal health and production, and why early detection is crucial for veterinarians. This session helps strengthen understanding and improve response to LSD.
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Here are five key facts we learnt in this video:
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Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an infectious disease of cattle and water buffalo caused by the LSD virus, belonging to the Capripoxvirus genus.
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LSD is non-zoonotic and does not infect humans.
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The disease is mainly transmitted by vectors such as mosquitoes, flies, and ticks, especially in warm and wet climates.
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LSD causes nodules on the skin and mucous membranes, leading to significant economic losses from reduced milk production, skin damage, fertility problems, and control costs.
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Early detection of clinical signs and understanding transmission routes are critical for veterinarians to control outbreaks and advise on biosecurity measures.
If you want to learn more, you can enroll in the Introduction to LSD open access course:
This course will provide you an overview of distribution of LSD, clinical signs, impact, characteristics of the virus and epidemiology.
In next session we will learn more about clinical signs.
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Explore the clinical signs and stages of lumpy skin disease (LSD) in this short video.
Learn how LSD progresses from early symptoms to chronic complications, and why early detection, including subclinical cases, is vital for effective control and surveillance. This session supports veterinarians in recognizing and managing LSD at every stage.
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Here are five key facts we learnt in this video:
- Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a viral disease in cattle and water buffalo that causes significant economic losses
- LSD progresses through three stages: incubation (4–14 days, no signs), acute (fever, swollen lymph nodes, rapid skin nodule development), and chronic (slow healing, deep scars)
- Early clinical signs include high fever, lethargy, nasal and ocular discharge, swollen lymph nodes, and the rapid appearance of firm skin nodules.
- Severe cases can cause systemic effects such as pneumonia, abortions, reduced milk production, and weight loss.
- Subclinical infections are common; some cattle carry and spread the virus without showing visible symptoms, making surveillance and testing critical for disease control.
Now that you learnt more about the clinical signs of LSD, you can also check this resource:In the session 3 we will learn more about infection routes and transmission.
This short video explains how lumpy skin disease (LSD) spreads among cattle, focusing on the key role of insect vectors and other transmission routes.
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Here are five key facts we learnt in this video:
- Lumpy skin disease virus is primarily transmitted by blood-feeding insects such as mosquitoes, flies, and ticks.
- Warm and humid climates increase the risk of LSD spread due to higher vector populations.
- Secondary transmission can occur through saliva, milk, scabs, semen, and contaminated water or feed.
- The LSD virus can persist for months on bedding, feed, and equipment, increasing transmission risk after outbreaks.
- Unlike foot-and-mouth disease, which spreads by direct contact, LSD is mainly vector-borne, so control measures should focus on reducing vector populations.
In the next session we will learn how to conduct a clinical examination for LSD during a outbreak.
This session supports veterinarians in making informed decisions during suspected LSD cases.
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Here are the key facts we learnt in this module:
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Proper preparation for a clinical examination includes selecting the right equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE).
Visual inspection of animals is the first step to identify those showing clinical signs of LSD, such as nodules and scabs on the skin.
During examination, it is important to record findings clearly and categorize them, for example, distinguishing skin lesions, respiratory clinical signs and lymphatic clinical signs.
You can learn more about clinical examination at this resource:
In the next session we will focus on understanding which samples to take and how to handle them for LSD diagnosis.
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This session supports veterinarians in achieving accurate and reliable LSD diagnosis.
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Here are the key facts we learnt in this module:
- Accurate diagnosis of LSD relies on collecting critical samples
- Skin nodules, saliva swabs and blood with EDTA are useful for virus detection by PCR and virus isolation, in early stages of the disease.
- Urine samples are not commonly used for LSD diagnosis.
- Blood without anticoagulant (serum samples) for detection of antibodies could be collected but bear in mind that antibodies do not appear till at least two weeks after infection.
- PCR is the gold standard for detecting LSD viral DNA in skin and mucosal samples, providing a rapid and sensitive diagnostic tool.
- Virus isolation from blood samples can confirm active infection, while antibody detection in serum helps identify animals with past exposure or vaccination history.
Please refer also this additional resource:
In the next session we will focus on identification of lesions.
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Here are the key facts we learnt in this module:
- Lumpy skin disease manifests in distinct lesion stages that are critical for diagnosis and understanding disease progression.
- Lesions first appear as firm, round nodules, measuring 2–5 cm in diameter.
- The nodules are initially painless but may become tender as the disease progresses.
- The number of lesions varies, with some animals developing hundreds, while others have only a few.
- Over time, the nodules may necrotize, forming dark, dry scabs.
- Mucous membranes of the mouth, nasal passages and eyes are often affected.
You may also refer to this one pager:
In the next section we will focus on control and treatment of LSD.
The session highlights regional differences and practical measures for veterinarians managing LSD outbreaks.
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Here are five key facts we learnt in this module:
- LSD control strategies differ by region.
- Supportive care in non-EU regions focuses on improving the health and recovery of affected animals.
- Vaccination is the cornerstone of LSD control, with homologous live-attenuated vaccines providing the most effective and long-lasting immunity; achieving at least 80% herd immunity is essential.
- Vaccination campaigns should be planned ahead of peak vector activity and supported by surveillance to monitor coverage and efficacy.
- Biosecurity protocols, such as movement restrictions and quarantine, are critical to prevent the spread of LSD during outbreaks.
In the next session we will focus on biosecurity.
The session emphasizes practical actions for veterinarians and farmers to prevent, contain, and manage LSD outbreaks.
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Here are five key facts we learnt in this module:
- Strict movement controls for unvaccinated cattle are essential to contain LSD outbreaks and immediate trade bans should be imposed upon suspicion or confirmation of disease.
- Stamping-out policies (culling) and proper carcass disposal are critical, but may be limited by resources.
- Vaccination is often more effective and should be paired with fair compensation for farmers.
- Proper disposal of waste materials such as contaminated bedding, feed, and manure is a key component of biosecurity.
- Cleaning and disinfection of facilities, equipment, and vehicles are crucial, as LSD virus can survive for long periods, especially in skin scabs and cold, dry conditions.
- Vector control must be paired with vaccination and movement control for optimal results.
In the next session we will focus on differential diagnosis.
This short video explores how to distinguish lumpy skin disease from other conditions with similar signs. Learn the key differences in lesion appearance, incubation periods, affected species, and understand the role of laboratory confirmation.
The session supports veterinarians in making accurate diagnoses and effective disease management decisions.
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Here are the key facts we learnt in this module:
- Differential diagnosis for LSD involves comparing its clinical signs and disease progression with other conditions that cause similar lesions.
- Key points for distinguishing LSD include the appearance of lesions, differences in incubation periods and the species and routes of infection affected.
- Laboratory confirmation—especially PCR testing—is essential for accurately diagnosing LSD when clinical signs overlap with other diseases.
- A systematic approach to differential diagnosis helps ensure accurate detection and prevents misdiagnosis, supporting effective disease management and reporting.
In the next session we will focus on reporting and documentation.
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Here are the key facts we learnt in this module:
- Immediate and accurate reporting ensures rapid response from authorities and compliance with national and international guidelines in controlling LSD outbreaks.
- Every suspected or confirmed case must be carefully documented, including details on symptoms, vaccination history, and animal movement, to enable effective tracing and preventive action.
- The reporting workflow typically follows these steps:
- The farmer identifies suspicious symptoms and informs local veterinarians.
An official veterinarian visits the farm, conducts clinical examinations, and collects samples.
Samples are tested and disease confirmed.
National authorities upload case details to global systems (e.g., WAHIS).
- Proper documentation for reporting includes clinical examination records, laboratory test results and quarantine orders.
- A standardized report includes case identification, clinical observations, epidemiological details and laboratory results.
- Reporting suspicion of LSD cases is a legal obligation for both farmers and veterinarians; failure to report can lead to penalties and increased disease spread.
- Collaboration between farmers, veterinarians, and authorities ensures effective outbreak management, protects livestock, trade relationships, and supports eradication efforts
These additional resources are not part of the modules but intended as further reading on topics you find interesting, or as useful additional resources. Please click on these resources to open them.
Please feel free to suggest other links to include here.
FAO resources:
- Bluetongue and Lumpy skin disease – awareness and prevention.
- Editable leaflets and posters against priority transboundary animal diseases.
- EMPRES-Animal health 360: Special edition on Lumpy Skin Disease (47/2017).
- FAO Lumpy Skin Disease: A field manual for veterinarians.
- GF-TADS. Standing Group of Experts on Lumpy Skin Disease in South-East Europe.
- Lumpy Skin Disease Contingency Plan Template & Emergency Vaccination Plan.
- Sustainable prevention, control and elimination of Lumpy Skin Disease – Eastern Europe and the Balkans.
WOAH resources:
EFSA resources
European Union legislation
