Biological and Scientific Opinion on Study on the Various Aspects of ‘humpsore’ in Cattle Population of India: a Review

INTRODUCTION Skin of cattle is often affected by Stephano-filarial infection in the Indian subcontinent and is commonly known as ‘Humpsore’. Nine species of the Stephanofilarial parasites have been reported from different parts of the world, but only Stephanofilaria assamensis has been reported as the causal agent of hump sore in eastern India. Though the name ‘Hump sore’ implies appearance of sore in the hump region but the stephanofilarial dermatitis also occurs in other parts of the body. The disease is transmitted by the fly Musca conducens and is prevalent in tropical countries like India and other countries. The disease is widely prevalent in West Bengal, India. The presence of the parasite Stephanofilaria sp. which affects domestic animals may harm human health. Hence, keeping in view of its prevalence in West Bengal, India as well as its economic importance, a fresh initiation has been undertaken to investigate the present status of prevalence, transmission dynamics and pathology of the disease. It was observed that the prevalence of the disease increased from the month of May till it reached the peak in August and declined thereafter, lowest in winter till December. Thus, influence of season on prevalence indicated that it was highest in rainy season followed by summer and winter.