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Abstract Background: Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) poses a critical economic threat to smallholder cattle production in Sirajganj District, the primary milk shed and central livestock hub of Bangladesh. Following several years of enzootic viral exposure, establishing population baseline immunity and evaluating farmer Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) are vital to guide future immunization strategies and disease control preparedness. Methods: A cross-sectional field study was conducted combining a structured KAP and Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) survey (n = 54 smallholders; N = 266 total farm management datasets) with paired pre- and post-vaccination serological evaluation (n = 21 paired cattle; 42 total serum samples). Serum samples collected via aseptic jugular venipuncture were analyzed using a validated blocking ELISA protocol (measuring Optical Density and \text{S/N}\%) to track humoral antibody dynamics. Results: Survey findings revealed moderate symptom recognition (48.15\% identifying cutaneous nodules) and vector transmission awareness (42.59\% insect vectors), alongside substantial prevention knowledge gaps (38.89\% unaware). Major biosecurity risks included high unsterilized needle-sharing (55.2\%) and heavy reliance on informal village practitioners (94.7\%). Despite financial and supply barriers, smallholder demand for field vaccination was exceptionally high (94.44\%). Serosurveillance demonstrated a high baseline pre-vaccination seroprevalence (66.67\%, 14/21), reflecting extensive prior enzootic exposure. Post-vaccination seropositivity remained identical (66.67\%), with a modest 9.52\% seroconversion rate among seronegative cattle (McNemar test, p = 1.000). Quantitative antibody metrics (Pre-vac mean OD: 0.9426 \pm 0.8243; Post-vac mean OD: 0.9403 \pm 0.7816) confirmed no significant quantitative shift. Conclusion: High baseline seropositivity confirms widespread pre-existing natural immunity in Sirajganj's cattle population, which masked post-vaccinal seroconversion in the field. To safeguard regional livestock livelihoods, future control programs must address vector biosecurity deficits, eliminate needle-reuse practices, standardize field vaccine potency, and establish subsidized mass immunization coverage.

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Nov 05, 2026

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