LSD symposium - L. Pite - Combating lumpy skin disease in Albania

1. Combating Lumpy Skin Disease
in Albania
Ledi Pite, Jonida Boci, Simon Gubbins, Alessando Broglia, Arjan Stegeman
Presenter: Ledi PITE
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Torino, Italy
Formerly at Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Tirana, Albania

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▪ Cattle Population in Albania (2016 -2017)
▪ Surveillance and Reporting
▪ Surveillance – Laboratory Diagnosis
▪ Surveillance – Risk Factors
▪ Control
▪ Economics
▪ Conclusions
▪ References
Table of Contents
Lumpy Skin Disease symposium, Rome, March 2023

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Approx. 360 000 cattle
Approx. 198 000 cattle farms
87% mix farms
12% milk farms
0.1% meat farms
Cattle Population in Albania (2016 -2017)
57%
32%
8%
2.1% 0.6% 0.3% 0.2%
1-2
3-5
6-10
11-20
21-30
31-50
50+
Farm Size - Frequency Chart
Farm Size
Number of
Farms
(Frequency)
Percentage
(%)
1-2 53826 57.0%
3-5 30102 31.9%
6-10 7386 7.8%
11-20 1974 2.1%
21-30 546 0.6%
31-50 293 0.3%
50+ 226 0.2%
Lumpy Skin Disease symposium, Rome, March 2023

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Cattle Population in Albania (2016)
Map of cattle density in the Balkan region and related orography (Tuppurainen et al., 2018)
Commercial farm and small farm
(Photo courtesy: The Albanian Food Safety and Veterinary Institute)
Lumpy Skin Disease symposium, Rome, March 2023

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▪ The first case of Lumpy Skin Disease was identified on 28 June
2016 in Vlashaj, located in Northeastern Albania, and reported
on 6 July in the National Veterinary and Livestock Information
System (called RUDA https://ruda.bujqesia.gov.al/login).
▪ The cases were reported to WAHIS WOAH (OIE) and EU - ADNS.
Surveillance and Reporting
Pite et al., 2017
LSD Affected Farm (Photo courtesy: Albanian Veterinary Service)
Lumpy Skin Disease symposium, Rome, March 2023

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In 2016, 3 568 outbreaks were reported in 30 out of
36 Albanian districts. The overall morbidity and
mortality were recorded at 42 percent and 12
percent, respectively.
In 2017, 379 outbreaks were reported. The overall
morbidity and mortality were recorded at 22
percent and 6 percent, respectively.
(Small-scale farms, e.g., 2-3 animals, were
predominantly affected in 2016 and 2017.)
In 2018, seven suspected cases (Diber, Elbasan and
Vlore) detected by passive clinical surveillance
tested negative by real-time PCR.
In 2019, one positive case was detected by real-time
PCR in Dajç, Shkoder, in Northwestern Albania
(reported to WAHIS – WOAH).
Surveillance -Descriptive
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38
Number
of
affected
Farms
Weeks of Epidemic Outbreaks (2016 to 2017)
Pite et al., 2017
Lumpy Skin Disease symposium, Rome, March 2023

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▪ The first map shows the affected villages in
different colour dots during two different
periods, i.e., from the end of June to
September 2016 and from October 2016 to
January 2017. The information in the map
suggests the propagation of the disease
from the eastern to the western part of
Albania.
▪ The second map shows the affected villages
(dots) from May to August 2017. The
information suggests the emergence of
epidemics in the southern part.
Surveillance –Spacial Descriptive (2016 – 2017)
Pite et al., 2017
Lumpy Skin Disease symposium, Rome, March 2023

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Laboratory confirmation of the disease was initially carried
out by the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency using real-time
Polymerase Chain Reaction (rtPCR).
From 2016 to 2017, the Albanian Food Safety and
Veterinary Institute subsequently tested 2 275 diagnostic
samples and obtained 881 positive results from
unvaccinated animal samples by Real-time Polymerase
Chain Reaction (Pite et al., 2017).
In 2018, seven suspected cases (Diber, Elbasan and Vlore)
detected by passive clinical surveillance tested negative by
DIVA real-time PCR (which differentiates between infected
and vaccinated animals).
In 2019, one case in Dajç, Shkoder, located in Northwestern
Albania, tested positive by DIVA real-time PCR.
Surveillance – Laboratory Diagnosis
rtPCR Diagnostics
(Photo courtesy: The Albanian Food Safety and Veterinary Institute)
Lumpy Skin Disease symposium, Rome, March 2023

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The force of infection, λ𝑖 𝑡 , (i.e., the rate at which uninfected herds become infected) was modelled (Eq.)
and explored by using a kernel-based approach. The best-fit transmission kernel for the Albanian outbreak
data was a fat-tailed one. Most transmission occurs over short distances (<5 km) (Fig. a). Therefore,
proximity to affected farms can be considered a risk factor for LSD spread (Gubbins et al., 2020; EFSA,
2018). In addition, there is an appreciable probability of transmission at longer distancing, which can be
attributed to livestock movements (Fig. b) (Gubbins et al., 2020).
Surveillance – Risk Factors
Eq.:
λ𝑖 𝑡 = ℎ𝑁𝑖 ෍
𝑗≠𝑖
𝐾(𝑑𝑖𝑗)𝑁𝑗𝐼𝑗(𝑡)
h = the transmission rate;
𝑁𝑖 𝑁𝑗 = the number of cattle herds 𝑖 and 𝑗, respectively;
𝐾(𝑑𝑖𝑗) = the distance kernel;
𝑑𝑖𝑗 = the great circle distance between herds 𝑖 and 𝑗;
𝐼𝑗(𝑡) = a variable indicating whether herd 𝑗 is uninfected (0) or infected
(1) on day 𝑡.
Transmission kernels for LSDV plotted on a (a) linear or (b) logarithmic scale (Gubbins et al., 2018).
▪ (Fig. a) The fat-tailed, exponential, and Gaussian kernels predicted the risk of transmission
reduced by 95% at a distance of 4.1 km, 7.2 km, and 12.1 km, respectively.
▪ (Fig. b) The fat-tailed kernel (the best fitted to data) predicts more transmission at distances
over 20 km than the exponential or Gaussian one.
Lumpy Skin Disease symposium, Rome, March 2023

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Evidence for seasonal variation in the force of infection associated with temperature (Fig. c) and modeled
relative vector abundance (Stomoxys calcitrans) (Fig. d), and the significant decline in the basic
reproduction number (R0) during the epidemic (Fig. e) suggest the seasonality in the LSDV transmission
and that the related abundance of potential LSD vectors is the major risk factors contributing to LSD
spread (Gubbins et al., 2020; EFSA, 2019).
Surveillance – Risk Factors
(Fig. c, d) Seasonal transmission rate of LSDV when it depends on (Fig. c) daily mean
temperature or (Fig. d) simulated relative abundance of Stomoxys calcitrans, a putative
vector of LSDV. The plots show the transmission rate, h(t) (black line, left-hand axis), and
the daily incidence of newly reported herds (grey bars, right axis) (Gubbins et al., 2020).
(Fig. e) Temporal trends (red and blue lines) in the basic
reproduction number (median values of R0, black dots) for
lumpy skin disease virus in villages in Albania. Significant decline
in R0 (regression coefficient: b = -0.0029; p < 0.001)(EFSA, 2019)
(e)
Lumpy Skin Disease symposium, Rome, March 2023

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No significant differences in the probability of LSD infection
were found between different types of production (dairy,
beef, or mixed production) (EFSA, 2017).
Surveillance – Risk Factors
Small farm
(Photo courtesy: The Albanian Food Safety and Veterinary Institute)
Lumpy Skin Disease symposium, Rome, March 2023

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The emergency control plan:
▪ Mass vaccination started on 26 July
2016 with live attenuated homologous
Neethling vaccine.
▪ No stamping out policy
▪ The ban of animal movement from
farms to abattoirs and to livestock
markets was enforced.
▪ Veterinary Service and European Union
- PAZA project monitoring activities.
▪ Compensation by the Government for
dead animals with improved-breed
Jersey and Holstein heifers.
▪ Vaccination was stopped in 2022.
Control
Pite et al., 2017
Monitoring activities (Photo courtesy: Albanian Veterinary Service)
Farmer Guidelines
Lumpy Skin Disease symposium, Rome, March 2023

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Awareness
▪ Leaflets,
▪ Posters,
▪ Booklets,
▪ Website and TV/Radio
▪ Meetings with official
veterinarians, private
veterinarians, veterinary
students, farmers, police,
etc..
Control
Pite et al., 2017
Awareness Campaign (Photo courtesy: Albanian Veterinary Service)
Lumpy Skin Disease symposium, Rome, March 2023

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In 2016, the European Commission, Directorate General for
Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE) immediately donated
75 000 doses of live attenuated homologous Neethling
vaccine. Additional 480 000 doses were reimbursed to the
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Albania
(Pite et al., 2017).
Control
Month-to-month proportion of LSD-vaccinated animals at regional level (January
2016–November 2017) and reported outbreaks (red dots: new outbreaks; grey dots:
past outbreaks) (EFSA, 2018).
Lumpy Skin Disease symposium, Rome, March 2023

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Vaccination effectiveness (VE): The proportion of vaccinated
animals which are protected from infection under field
conditions.
The estimate obtained from transmission modelling for
vaccine effectiveness was 76.5% (95% CI: 71.8–80.6%)
(Gubbins et al., 2020) and is higher than that derived using
survival analysis 62.5% (95% CI: 54.1–69.5) (Klement et al.,
2020).
The vaccine reduced the susceptibility of an animal (and,
hence, the susceptibility and infectiousness of a herd)
(Gubbins et al., 2020).
Control
Effect of time from vaccination on vaccine effectiveness. There is a
sharp increase in VE until day 14, where it reaches around 60%.
(Klement et al., 2020)
Lumpy Skin Disease symposium, Rome, March 2023

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The cost of disease and control measures in 2016 was
around 4 060 000 euros, and in 2017 were around 1 480
000 euros (Casal et al., 2018).
Economics
Poster of awareness campaign for LSD control
(Photo courtesy: Albanian Veterinary Service)
Lumpy Skin Disease symposium, Rome, March 2023

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▪ The Albanian veterinary service faced technical and administrative challenges to control Lumpy Skin
Disease. Re-organization to deliver a modern veterinary service initiated.
▪ The commitment, collaboration, and assistance of national, regional, and international stakeholders
(European Commission, EFSA, FAO, IAEA and WOAH) were the main elements that allowed the
achievement of the results for the surveillance and control of the LSD.
▪ High-quality data is a cornerstone for epidemiological analysis and disease control, and improved
computerized data collection is needed.
▪ Laboratory diagnostic real-time PCR, which differentiates the LSD field virus from the vaccine strain, is
important for disease surveillance during the vaccination period.
▪ Further work is required to incriminate specific species as vectors of LSDV.
▪ Achieving the highest uniform vaccination coverage with the live attenuated homologous Neethling
vaccine in the shortest period of time is the cornerstone to rapidly control LSD outbreaks.
Conclusions
Lumpy Skin Disease symposium, Rome, March 2023

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Casal, J., Allepuz, A., Miteva, A., Pite, L., Tabakovsky, B., Terzievski, D., Alexandrov, T., Beltrán-Alcrudo, D., 2018. Economic cost of lumpy skin disease outbreaks in three Balkan
countries: Albania, Bulgaria and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (2016-2017).Transboundary and Emerging Diseases, 65(6) 1680-1688.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/tbed.12926
EFSA (European Food Safety Authority), 2017. Scientific report on lumpy skin disease: I. Data collection and analysis. EFSA Journal 2017;15(4):4773, 54 pp. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.
2017.4773
EFSA (European Food Safety Authority), 2018. Scientific report on lumpy skin disease II. Data collection and analysis. EFSA Journal 2018;16(2):5176, 33 pp.
https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2018.5176
EFSA (European Food Safety Authority), Calistri P, DeClercq K, Gubbins S,Klement E, Stegeman A, Cortinas Abrahantes J, Antoniou S-E, Broglia A and Gogin A, 2019. Scientific report
on lumpy skin disease: III. Data collection and analysis. EFSA Journal 2019;17(3):5638, 26 pp. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2019.5638
Gubbins S., Stegeman A., Klement E., Pite L., Broglia A., Cortiñas Abrahantese J., Available online 17 December 2018, Inferences about the transmission of lumpy skin disease virus
between herds from outbreaks in Albania in 2016, 2020, Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Volume 181, 2020, 104602, ISSN 0167-5877,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2018.12.008.
Klement E., Broglia A., Antoniou S., Tsiamadisd. Plevraki E., Petrović T., Polaček V., Debeljak Z., Miteva A., Alexandro T., Marojevic D., Pite L., Kondratenko V., Atanasov Z., Gubbins S.,
Stegeman A. And CortiñasAbrahantes J.. Neethling vaccine proved highly effective in controlling lumpy skin disease epidemics in the Balkans. Preventive Veterinary Medicine,
Volume 181, 2020, 104595, ISSN 0167-5877, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2018.12.001.
Pite L., Fero E., Ago A., Xhepa M., Boci J., Vodica A., Rizvanolli E., Lilo A., (2017) Lumpy Skin Disease epidemics in Albania, FAO EMPRES-Animal Health 360 | NO. 47/2017,
http://www.fao.org/3/a-i7982e.pdf . ISSN 1564-2615
Tuppurainen E.S.M., Antoniou S-E., Tsiamadis E., Topkaridou M., Labus T., Debeljak Z., Plavšić B., Miteva A., Alexandrov T., Pite L., Boci J., Marojevic D., Kondratenko V., Atanasov Z.,
Murati B., Acinger-Rogic Z., Kohnle L., Calistri P., Broglia A., Field observations and experiences gained from the implementation of control measures against lumpy skin disease in
South-East Europe between 2015 and 2017, Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Volume 181, 2020, 104600, ISSN 0167-5877, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2018.12.006.
References
Lumpy Skin Disease symposium, Rome, March 2023

19. Protecting people, animals, and the environment every day
Drawings: FAO/Chiara Caproni
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