Giraffe mortalities may have been caused by lumpy skin disease (LSD), the Namibian Agricultural Union reported in their weekly newsletter dated 8 May 2026.
Last year, from mid-April to the end of May, Namibia experienced an unusual wave of giraffe mortalities across large parts of the country. Farmers reported finding dead giraffes and observing sick animals displaying abnormal behaviour. Reports came from areas west and north of Okahandja, extending to Omaruru and Waterberg, as well as farms around Outjo, Okaukuejo and Maroelaboom. There were also rumours of deaths inside Etosha National Park.
Observed symptoms included drooping ears, excessive drooling, eye discharge and apparent blindness. Some giraffes developed skin lesions resembling lumpy skin disease (LSD). Farmers also described lethargic animals standing motionless in the bush and showing little reaction to approaching vehicles or people. Others appeared disoriented, stumbling over bushes and fences with a staggered, “drunk-like” gait.
Unfortunately, too few samples and questionnaires were submitted to Wildlife Vets Namibia, who sought to determine the cause of mortalities, to determine the exact cause.
Several alternative causes were investigated and ruled out. These included
- Plant poisoning was considered unlikely because the deaths occurred across regions with vastly different vegetation types;
- Rabies was excluded after multiple giraffes tested negative;
- Lightning strikes were dismissed because many sick animals were seen outside rainy periods and survived for some time before dying, while lightning would have caused instant death.
Insects to blame
Researchers noted that the outbreak followed an exceptionally good rainy season, which resulted in unusually high insect populations, particularly flies, mosquitoes and midges.
Of the 14 farmer questionnaires received, 71,4% reported significantly higher insect numbers during April and May compared with the previous year. At the same time, several LSD outbreaks were recorded in cattle in northern Namibia.
Importantly, giraffe mortalities declined sharply with the arrival of the first winter cold spells, which also reduced insect numbers dramatically. This strongly supports the theory that the disease was spread by insects.
Although isolated cases of LSD in giraffes have previously been reported, Namibia’s 2025 outbreak appears to have been the first largescale event of its kind. Multiple farmers reported seeing giraffes with the typical skin lesions associated with LSD. While sheep, goats and most African wild ungulates appear resistant to the disease, impala and springbuck may be susceptible.
What is lumpy skin disease?
Lumpy skin disease is caused by a capripox virus and results in nodular skin lesions on infected animals. Humans cannot contract the disease. LSD is widespread throughout Africa and has also spread into parts of Europe, Russia, the Middle East and Asia.
The disease is mainly transmitted mechanically by biting insects such as stable flies, mosquitoes and Culicoides midges. Certain hard tick species may also spread the virus. Direct transmission through saliva, contaminated feed or milk may occur, but this route is not yet fully understood.
Warm, wet weather creates ideal breeding conditions for insect vectors, often leading to severe outbreaks. Long-distance spread is usually associated with the movement of infected animals rather than insects alone.
The virus is highly resilient and may survive for up to a month in dried skin crusts and up to five months in semen.
Signs and impact of LSD
Infected animals usually first develop fever, lethargy and loss of appetite. Excessive tearing, salivation, nasal discharge and swollen lymph nodes are also common. This is followed by the appearance of firm skin nodules ranging from 0,5 cm to 5 cm in diameter.
Lesions may occur anywhere on the body but are especially common around the head, neck, udder, scrotum and perineum. Some animals develop only a few nodules, while others may have hundreds. As the lesions ulcerate, fluid leaks out and secondary bacterial infections may develop, leading to pus formation and tissue death.
In severe cases, lesions can spread into the respiratory and digestive tracts. Dairy cattle in peak production are particularly vulnerable and often suffer major drops in milk yield.
Not all infected animals show visible signs. Up to 50% of cases during an outbreak may remain subclinical. Mortality rates are usually below 10%, but the economic impact can still be severe due to reduced milk production, weight loss and damage to hides.
Diagnosis and reporting
LSD is a notifiable disease, meaning suspected cases must be reported to a state veterinarian. Diagnosis is confirmed through skin samples and laboratory testing.
Other diseases can resemble LSD, including pseudo-lumpy skin disease caused by a herpesvirus and Dermatophilus congolensis infections, making laboratory confirmation essential. PCR testing is commonly used to detect viral genetic material and identify specific virus strains.
Treatment and prevention
There is no specific cure for lumpy skin disease. Treatment in livestock focuses on managing secondary bacterial infections, reducing fever and supporting recovery through antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medication and vitamins.
Prevention remains the most effective strategy. Good summer rains combined with high insect numbers should alert farmers to the possibility of an outbreak.
In cattle, vaccination with the attenuated Neethling strain vaccine provides effective protection. All cattle older than six months should be vaccinated annually, ideally before the rainy season begins.
Fly control is equally important. Farmers are encouraged to use fly traps and apply insecticides through dipping or spraying. Severely affected animals may need to be culled to limit spread within herds, although farmers should remember that the virus can survive for weeks in the skin of dead animals.
LSD and wildlife
Very little research exists on the role wildlife plays in the spread of LSD. Capripoxviruses are among the most serious of all animal poxviruses.
Researchers have found antibodies against capripox viruses in species including wildebeest, springbuck, eland, impala, kudu, waterbuck, reedbuck, giraffe and African buffalo. The presence of antibodies suggests exposure to the virus, although it does not necessarily mean the animals spread the disease further.
The actual number of infected wild animals may be much higher than reported because skin lesions are often difficult to observe in free-ranging wildlife. Sick animals may also fall prey to predators before they can be detected.
It is well established that giraffes are susceptible to LSD. In 1970, a giraffe calf in South Africa was experimentally infected with the virus and died with typical symptoms. The virus has also been isolated from a giraffe that died in a Vietnamese zoo.
However, infection does not always result in death. Mortality depends on factors such as infection severity, insect pressure and the animal’s overall condition.
Wildlife veterinarians are urging farmers to report sick or dead giraffes immediately.
Source references
Namibian Agricultural Union (NAU) 8 May 2026 Newsletter
Smit, El (2026) Lumpy Skin Disease suspected to be behind giraffe deaths Namibian Sun
Steyn, T. (2025) Namibia News: Concern about giraffe mortalities
https://proagri.co.za/namibia-news-concern-about-giraffe-mortalities/
Wildlife Vets Namibia
