Lumpy Skin Disease found in Italy and France

19 August 2025

An image showing cattle in a shed

By Kate Adams, Senior European Policy Advisor

129 outbreaks of Lumpy Skin Disease have been reported in Italy (54) and France (77). 

What is LSD?

LSD is a highly contagious vector-borne viral disease that primarily affects cattle, water buffaloes and certain wild ruminants. Affected animals typically exhibit sudden fever, nodular skin lesions, as well as swollen lymph nodes. Other common symptoms include nasal and eye discharge, loss of appetite, general weakness and a decline in milk production. Although not a threat to human health, the disease can lead to significant losses in both animals and production.

LSD is transmitted via insects such as biting flies and mosquitoes. Transmission from animal to animal plays a minor role. Movement of infected animals to free areas is mostly responsible for long-distance spread.

Europe’s first case of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in years was reported in Italy on 21 June 2025. Detected on the island of Sardinia, the disease was identified following reports of clinical symptoms. The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) outlines that while the source of infection is inconclusive, it is likely from infected insects.

Since the initial infection, Sardinia has reported 53 outbreaks. The outbreaks are geographically clustered (see the map below). WOAH outlines that genotyping shows the virus circulating in Italy is closely related to cluster 1.2, which includes strains isolated in Nigeria and South Africa.

1 farm in Lombardy (Northern Italy) has also reported infection with LSD. The positive animal was sent from the originally infected holding in Sardinia. The virus is not actively circulating in Northern Italy. 

Following detection in Italy, France reported its first infection with LSD on a farm in Chambèry, the Savoy region, on 23 June. According to WOAH, the source of infection is unknown. Over recent weeks, the number of outbreaks has increased to 75. Again, the infected farms are clustered (see the map below). 

Cattle are being vaccinated in both Italy and France. 

There is a risk that the virus will be introduced into countries including Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands.

What restrictions have been implemented in Great Britain?

The government has taken action to prevent the introduction of the disease and has implemented import restrictions for Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). This includes the suspension of imports of certain bovine commodities from both Italy and France.

Map of infected farms across Europe:

Map of infected farms in Sardinia:

Map of infected farms in France:

 

This page was first published on 08 July 2025. It was updated on 19 August 2025.

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