– : “India’s Lumpy Skin Cattle Virus Tracked by Team”

Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. “India lumpy skin cattle virus”
2. “Multi-institutional team research”

A multi-institutional team has uncovered key insights into the evolution and origins of the virus strains causing the lumpy skin cattle disease outbreak in India. The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) revealed that since May 2022, around 1,00,000 cows have succumbed to this mysterious illness. The disease, caused by the Lumpy Skin Disease Virus (LSDV), is spread by insects and can be fatal for cattle. The team’s groundbreaking genomic analysis identified two distinct LSDV variants circulating in India, shedding light on the severity of the outbreak. These findings could lead to improved diagnostics, vaccines, and interventions to combat emerging infectious diseases in livestock.

The Emergence of Lumpy Skin Cattle Disease Outbreak in India

A multi-institutional team has shed light on the evolution and origins of the virus strains responsible for the lumpy skin disease outbreak that has affected cattle in India. In May 2022, a mysterious illness began claiming the lives of cattle across the country. The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) revealed that approximately 1,00,000 cows have succumbed to this devastating outbreak, describing it as a national emergency.

Investigating the Cause of the Outbreak

Professor Utpal Tatu, from the Department of Biochemistry at IISc, described the outbreak as a calamity prompting the team to investigate its cause. Their findings, published in ‘BMC Genomics’, identified the Lumpy Skin Disease Virus (LSDV) as the culprit behind the viral infection transmitted by insects like flies and mosquitoes. The disease manifests as fever and skin nodules and has proven to be fatal for cattle.

Genomic Analysis Reveals Distinct Variants

The team collected samples from infected cattle in states such as Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Karnataka and conducted advanced whole-genome sequencing to analyse the DNA. The analysis unveiled two distinct LSDV variants circulating in India, with one being genetically similar to strains from previous outbreaks in 2019 and 2020. The other variant exhibited a high number of genetic variations, reminiscent of strains from a 2015 outbreak in Russia.

Understanding the Severity of the Disease

The presence of over 1,800 genetic variations in the highly diverse LSDV strains discovered by the team was unprecedented in India. These variations, including deletions, insertions, and single-letter changes in DNA, were found in genes crucial for viral binding to host cells, evading the immune response, and efficient replication. The team believes that these genetic variations may have heightened the virus’s virulence, leading to more severe symptoms in affected cattle.

Implications for Vaccine Development

Insights gained from the genomic analysis could pave the way for improved diagnostics, vaccines, and interventions to combat emerging infectious diseases threatening livestock and livelihoods. The research team’s work exemplifies the “One Health” approach, involving multidisciplinary collaboration between molecular biologists, computational experts, and veterinary doctors to address national health issues.

The Significance of Collaborative Research

Professor Tatu emphasised the importance of collaboration between veterinary experts and scientific institutions in understanding and combating the lumpy skin disease outbreak. By sharing field knowledge and perceptions, the team was able to trace the variants across the country, providing valuable insights for vaccine development and disease management.

In conclusion, the research conducted by the multi-institutional team at IISc has not only unravelled the genomic landscape of LSDV during India’s outbreak but also highlighted the critical role of collaborative research in addressing emerging health challenges.