Abstract

Lumpy skin disease is of significant economic impact for the cattle industry in Africa. Due to cross protection within the Capri poxvirus genus, sheep poxvirus (SPPV) vaccines have been widely used for cattle against lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV). In the Middle East and the Horn of Africa, these vaccines have been associated with incomplete protection and adverse reactions in cattle post vaccination. The different studies confirm that the real identity of the commonly used Kenyan sheep and goat pox vaccine virus (KSGP) O-240 is not SPPV but is actually LSDV. The low-level attenuation of this virus is likely to be not sufficient for safe use in cattle, causing clinical disease in vaccinated animals. In addition, Isiolo and Kedong goat pox strains, capable of infecting sheep, goats and cattle are identified for potential use as broad-spectrum vaccine candidates against all capripox diseases.

Keywords: Lumpy skin disease; Goat pox; Sheep pox

Abbreviations: LSDV: Lumpy Skin Disease Virus; SPPV: Sheeppox Virus