Assessing Post-Vaccination Seroprevalence and Enhancing Strategies for Lumpy Skin Disease Vaccination in Korean Cattle

Abstract

Simple Summary: Lumpy skin disease (LSD) caused by the LSD virus (LSDV) severely impacts the economy of a country and its cattle industry. After the first outbreak in October 2023, South Korea decided to vaccinate cattle nationwide. This study specifically investigated the efficacy of the vaccination campaign against lumpy skin disease (LSD) and analyzed the seropositivity rates of LSD antibodies 2-3 months after vaccination to provide guidance regarding future vaccination strategies and biosecurity measures. In total, 3910 cattle were tested from four Korean provinces, with an overall seropositivity rate of 30.59 percent. Dairy cattle had higher seropositivity rates (42.97%) than Korean native cattle (29.21%). The availability of appropriate restraining facilities and vaccination methods has an influence on vaccine effectiveness. Although vaccination produces an adequate immune response, upgrading vaccination procedures, such as strengthening restraint facilities and employing professionals, can improve outcomes even more. This study offers useful insights into how to improve LSD control strategies in Korea and other affected countries.<br /> Lumpy skin disease (LSD), caused by the LSD virus (LSDV), a dsDNA virus of the genus Capripoxvirus, represents a significant cross-border infectious threat, particularly impacting cattle and water buffaloes through transmission by blood-feeding insects. Traditionally endemic to Southern Africa, LSD has rapidly spread over the past decade through the Middle East to Eastern Europe and China, reaching Korea in October 2023. This outbreak prompted a nationwide vaccination campaign, addressing both the disease's severe economic impact and its status as a notifiable disease under the World Organisation for Animal Health. This study assesses the seropositivity of the LSD vaccine in cattle across four Korean provinces 2-3 months post-vaccination, aiming to inform improvements in biosecurity and vaccination strategies. Overall, 30.59% of the cattle tested (1196 out of 3910) exhibited positive antibody responses, comparable to international post-vaccination findings. Analysis further revealed differences in the antibody positivity between farm types and management practices. Specifically, farms where vaccines were administered by veterinarians showed no significant difference in antibody positivity between Korean native cattle and dairy cattle, regardless of the presence of restraint facilities. However, on farms where vaccinations were conducted by the owners, dairy cattle demonstrated a higher seropositivity (43.30 +/- 33.39%) compared to Korean native cattle (21.97 +/- 20.79%) in the absence of restraint facilities. Further comparisons underscored the impact of restraint facilities on vaccination efficacy, with dairy farms generally achieving higher antibody positivity (29.43 +/- 30.61%) than farms with Korean native cattle (23.02 +/- 23.33%) (p < 0.05), suggesting that consistent vaccine delivery methods enhance immunogenic responses. Contrarily, no significant difference was noted in antibody positivity between large- and small-scale farms, indicating that farm size did not notably impact the effectiveness of the vaccinator. These findings emphasize that while current vaccines are sufficiently inducing immunity, enhancing vaccination strategies, particularly through trained personnel and improved restraint facilities, is crucial. This study's insights into the impact of vaccination and farm management practices provide valuable guidance for refining LSD control measures in Korea and potentially other affected regions.