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MEDIA RELEASE
10 APRIL 2014
Ticks help spread lumpy skin disease among cattle
Three bloodsucking hard tick species, commonly found in sub-Saharan Africa, are
involved in the transmission of a debilitating livestock disease called lumpy skin
disease to cattle herds across Africa.
The three tick species identified as vectors for the disease are the Rhipicephalus
(Boophilus) decoloratus (blue tick), R. appendiculatus (brown ear tick) and
Amblyomma hebraeum (bont tick).
This has been proven by Dr Jimmy Clement Lubinga, who will receive his doctoral
degree in veterinary tropical diseases on the subject during the University of
Pretoria’s Autumn Graduation Ceremony on 11 April 2014.
Lumpy skin disease was first diagnosed in Zambia in 1929. It spread through
Botswana into South Africa and now covers the entire continent.
Until now the method of lumpy skin disease virus transmission– a growing problem
in herds in Africa and the Near East- has not been fully understood and mostly been
associated with flying insects. Dr Lubinga’s study has now confirmed that ticks are
also vectors for the virus.
“The ticks also act as ‘reservoirs’ for the virus, as it can persist in these external
parasites during periods between epidemics,” explains Dr. Lubinga. “The virus has
been found in their saliva and organs, and could potentially overwinter in these
ticks.”
What is lumpy skin disease?
Lumpy skin disease is caused by the lumpy skin disease virus, a member of the
genus Capripoxvirus. It is a viral disease of cattle and is typically characterized by
fever, lumps in the skin and swollen lymph nodes. Outbreaks of this disease reduce
the quality of meat and milk, causing major economic losses. Cattle may become
infertile due to reduced sperm quality. Abortions and reduced calving rates have
been documented. It can cause permanent scarring to cattle hides, thereby reducing
their quality.
Mortality rates of between 10% and 40% and higher of herds have been recorded
during outbreaks.
“This disease is of economic importance due to the damage it can cause to the skin,
the reduced milk and meat production and lowered fertility of cattle,” says Dr
Lubinga. “Restrictions on animal movement and trade can be imposed on infected
areas.”
Disease a ticking problem?
Dr Lubinga recommends that tick control should form an important component of
lumpy skin disease control. This is needed to ensure that these parasites do not
contribute to the spread of the virus to other parts of the world.
“Ticks can be spread over long distances by moving along with their animal host, for
instance while feeding on migrating birds,” says Dr Lubinga. “The change of climate
due to global warming is making it possible for ticks to successfully survive and
quest in areas where previously they could not survive due to very cold conditions.”
The research was funded by the Combatting for Infectious Diseases of Livestock for
International Development (CIDLID) research programme and the Department for
International Biotechnology and Biological Research Council (BBSRC) in the UK.
Reference: Lubinga, J. (2014). PhD thesis: The role of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus)
decoloratus, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and Amblyoma hebraeum ticks in the
transmission of lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV)
More about Dr Jimmy Lubinga
Dr Lubinga, who hails from Zambia, currently works as Principal Veterinary Officer,
Disease control (tick control), Department of Veterinary Services in Zambia. He
received a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Zambia in 1990,
and obtained a Master of Veterinary Medicine in Diagnostic Medicine from the same
university in 1998.
Photo captions (High resolution photos available on request):
DrJimmyLubingalab1 and 2.jpg
Dr Jimmy Lubinga working on the blood samples that he collected during the course
of his studies.
DrJimmyLubingasamples 1 and 2.jpg
Livestock were sampled to collect the necessary ticks and blood samples.
For more information on the research, please contact:
Dr Jimmy Lubinga
Department of Veterinary Services
Lusaka, Zambia
Until 12 April - +27 78 077 4777
After 12 April: +260975869924; +260954741684
[email protected]
For more information on the University of Pretoria, please contact:
Nicolize Mulder
Senior Media Practitioner
Department of University Relations
University of Pretoria
+27 (0) 12 420 3023
+27 (0) 83 709 3041
[email protected]