title: Long-term changes in the spatial distribution of lumpy skin disease hotspots in Zimbabwe.
abstract: Outbreaks of lumpy skin disease (LSD) are reported almost every year in Zimbabwe but not much is known regarding whether the pattern of the disease is changing in response to major socio-economic programmes such as the land reform launched in 2000. In this paper, geo-referenced data of LSD cases was used to detect and map significant LSD hotspots over a 20-year period (1995-2014). The hotspots were then overlaid on top of a land tenure map to explore whether hotspots have spread or persist in some land tenure types. The main results are that LSD outbreaks are on the rise and the disease is spreading throughout the country with areas formerly large-scale commercial farms now experiencing more outbreaks. These results suggest that regular vaccination should be now recommended in most districts in the country.
authors: Department of Clinical Veterinary Studies, University of Zimbabwe, Box MP 167, Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe.|Department of Livestock and Veterinary Services, 18 Borrowdale Road, Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors: Samuel
authors: S
authors: Swiswa
authors: Department of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Zimbabwe, Box MP 167, Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors: Mhosisi
authors: M
authors: Masocha
authors: Department of Clinical Veterinary Studies, University of Zimbabwe, Box MP 167, Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors: Davies M
authors: DM
authors: Pfukenyi
authors: Department of Clinical Veterinary Studies, University of Zimbabwe, Box MP 167, Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors: Solomon
authors: S
authors: Dhliwayo
authors: Department of Clinical Veterinary Studies, University of Zimbabwe, Box MP 167, Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe. schikerema@vet.uz.ac.zw.
authors: Silvester M
authors: SM
authors: Chikerema
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000662:veterinary*; D005843:Geography; D008166:Lumpy Skin Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008167:Lumpy skin disease virus; D015233:Models, Statistical; D012621:Seasons; D014611:Vaccination / Q000662:veterinary*; D015030:Zimbabwe / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Hotspot; Land tenure; Lumpy skin disease