Abstract:
Cattle farming is a major economic sector in the
Ampara district of Sri Lanka, yet there is limited
information on lumpy skin disease (LSD) in the
region. This study addresses this gap by
investigating the prevalence, mortality rate,
distribution, and age-related factors of LSD, as
well as assessing the financial impacts of
outbreaks.
Data of LSD from nineteen
government veterinary offices were collected
through surveys and interviews. The data was
analysed using Microsoft Excel 2021 and Minitab
19. Findings indicate that LSD had spread to
nineteen out of twenty ranges in the Ampara
district. The highest prevalence was observed in
the Irakamam range (20.77%), while the lowest
was in the Alayadivembu range (3.81%), with an
overall prevalence of 8.59%. Nintavur and
Addalaichenai had significantly higher mortality
rates of 6.5% and 3.5%, respectively, compared
to other regions in the Ampara district, where the
mortality rate was much lower at 1.7%. Statistical
analysis revealed that the affected animals were
predominantly under one year of age. Financial
impact assessment showed that 78% of affected
farms experienced reduced growth rates in their
cattle, while 22% faced infertility issues. Major
risk factors for LSD spread included animal
transportation, communal grazing lands, and
presence of ticks. These findings provide valuable
insights into the epidemiology and economic
burden of LSD in Ampara, offering a basis for
developing targeted interventions to protect
livestock farmers' livelihoods and sustain the
local economy.
