Outbreak of Recombinant Lumpy Skin Disease Virus in Yaks: High Mortality and Systemic Pathogenesis in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Yak Herds

The study investigates an outbreak of recombinant Lumpy Skin Disease Virus (LSDV) in yaks on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, revealing severe clinical symptoms and a high mortality rate of 46.67% among 15 yaks. The virus caused systemic pathogenesis, including respiratory and digestive lesions, and was identified as part of the recombinant Cluster 1.2 subclade, similar to strains in East/Southeast Asia, indicating cross-border transmission. The findings highlight the need for region-specific control strategies due to the virus's adaptation to high-altitude, cold climates and its potential threat to yak populations. Additionally, the study notes the virus's exceptional virulence and genetic divergence between Chinese and Indian yak LSDV strains, emphasizing the risk of catastrophic losses due to the yaks' grazing patterns and limited veterinary resources.