Molecular characterization of lumpy skin disease virus from recent outbreaks in Pakistan

Abstract Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a contagious viral transboundary disease and is enlisted in notifiable diseases by the World Organization of Animal Health (WOAH). The first disease suspicion was determined in Pakistan in late 2021. Since then, various outbreaks are now reporting from different regions of all provinces across the country. In the current study, samples from a few earlier outbreaks among cattle populations in Sindh and Punjab provinces were investigated and partial GPCR, p32, and RP030 genes-based phylogenetic analysis were conducted subsequent to molecular characterization. Collectively, LSDV strains originating from outbreaks in Pakistan noticeably clustered together with LSDV strains reported from African, Middle East, and Asian countries including Egypt, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, India, China, and Thailand. The reasons behind the origin of virus strain and disease spread to Pakistan are unknown; suggesting to investigate of more outbreaks across the country for the establishment of effective disease control strategies including a mass vaccination campaign across Pakistan.