Epidemiology and Molecular Characterization of Lumpy Skin Disease Virus in Cattle in the Poro Region of Ivory Coast

Mireille Catherine KADJA^1*Aristide Anicet Zobo²Edmond Onidje³Laibané Dieudonné DAHOUROU⁴Yemienguigna Nougnon Coulibaly¹Cyprien Bokpe Yapi²Souahibou Sourokou Sabi¹BENJAMIN EMIKPE⁵Irene Kasindi Meki⁶Tirumala Settypalli⁶William Dundon⁶Viskam Wijewardana⁶Charles Euloge Lamien^6*

• ¹Ecole Inter Etats des Sciences et Médecine Vétérinaires de Dakar, Dakar, Senegal
• ²Central Veterinary Laboratory, Bingerville, Côte d'Ivoire
• ³Universita degli Studi di Perugia Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Perugia, Italy
• ⁴Institut des Sciences de l’Environnement et du Développement Rural, Université Daniel Ouezzin Coulibaly, Dédougou, Burkina Faso
• ⁵School of Veterinary Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
• ⁶Animal Production and Health Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, International Atomic Energy Agency, Wa-gramer Strasse 5, P.O. Box 100, A1400 Vienna, Austria

Introduction: Lumpy skin disease (LSD) threatens cattle health and productivity in Ivory Coast, where limited resources for livestock management hinder disease control. Moreover, the lack of studies on its prevalence and genetic profile leaves critical gaps in understanding its epidemiology and local risk factors. This study addresses these gaps by investigating LSD viruses' prevalence, its molecular characteristic and the associated risk factors among cattle in the Poro region of northern Ivory Coast. Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, nodule and nasal swab samples were collected from 405 cattle across 36 villages between September 2023 and December 2024 based on syndromic surveillance. The samples were analyzed PCR to confirm LSD virus presence, followed by sequencing of four viral genes: RPO30, GPCR, EEV glycoprotein, and B22R. Results: Overall, LSD prevalence among cattle showing pox-like lesions and clinical symptoms was found to be 51.85% and varied significantly across localities, reaching 66.67% in M'bengué and 70.87% in Dikodougou. Larger herds (over 50 cattle) had a higher prevalence (76.51%) compared to smaller herds (34.72%), and transhumant herds showed increased prevalence (p < 0.001). No significant associations were identified between sex, age, or breed. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the Ivory Coast LSDV strains clusters with other African field strains, distinct from South-East Asian and Russian recombinants. Discussion: The present study shows a notable regional difference in the prevalence of LSD in cattle in Ivory Coast, with big and transhumant herds having a higher prevalence rate making the herd size and movement a major risk factor. Molecular analysis demonstrated that Ivory Coast LSD strains are in the same group with other strains found in the African field, indicating that it is necessary to take control measures within the region and provide further surveillance.