The Effect of Vaccination with Live Attenuated Neethling Lumpy Skin Disease Vaccine on Milk Production and Mortality-An Analysis of 77 Dairy Farms in Israel.

Michal Morgenstern,Eyal Klement

doi:10.3390/vaccines8020324

Abstract

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an economically important, arthropod borne viral disease of cattle. Vaccination by the live attenuated homologous Neethling vaccine was shown as the most efficient measure for controlling LSD. However, adverse effects due to vaccination were never quantified in a controlled field study. The aim of this study was to quantify the milk production loss and mortality due to vaccination against LSD. Daily milk production, as well as culling and mortality, were retrieved for 21,844 cows accommodated in 77 dairy cattle farms in Israel. Adjusted milk production was calculated for each day during the 30 days post vaccination. This was compared to the preceding month by fitting mixed effects linear models. Culling and mortality rates were compared between the 60 days periods prior and post vaccination, by survival analysis. The results of the models indicate no significant change in milk production during the 30 days post vaccination period. No difference was observed between the pre- and post-vaccination periods in routine culling, as well as in immediate culling and in-farm mortality. We conclude that adverse effects due to Neethling vaccination are negligible.

Highlights

Vaccines are among the most important measures taken for control of infectious diseases, both in human and veterinary medicine
Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a vector-borne viral disease, which primarily affects cattle. It is caused by the lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), a member of the Poxviridae family and the genus
The study rationale is to compare milk production, mortality, urgent culling, and routine culling in farms vaccinated with the Neethling vaccine, prior and after vaccination

Summary

Introduction

Vaccines are among the most important measures taken for control of infectious diseases, both in human and veterinary medicine. Vaccination can cause adverse effects, which can result in morbidity and economical losses. This varies between different diseases and different vaccines. Decision-making regarding vaccination, depends on accurate data that should enable appropriate weighing of the pros of vaccines against their cons, as a measure for prevention of specific diseases. Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a vector-borne viral disease, which primarily affects cattle. It is caused by the lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), a member of the Poxviridae family and the genus

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