Lumpy Skin Disease found in Italy and France

08 July 2025

An image showing cattle in a shed

8 farms have reported infection with Lumpy Skin Disease in Italy and France. 

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) since 2015 was reported in Italy on 21 June 2025. Detected on the island of Sardinia, the disease was detected on a cattle farm following detection 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 infection with LSD on 6 farms. 1 farm in Lombardy (Northern Italy) has also reported infection with LSD.

Following detection in Italy, France reported its first infection with LSD on a farm in Chambèri, in the alpine city in the Savoy region. According to WOAH, 15 animals were infected on the holding of 54 animals. All 54 animals have been culled.

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. Full details of the restrictions can be found on GOV.UK:

• 25 June 2025: Outbreak of lumpy skin disease in Italy
• 1 July 2025: Outbreak of lumpy skin disease in France

List of reported outbreaks:

Date

Location

Number of cases and size of holding

20 June 2025

Orani, Province of Nuoro, Sardinia

7 cases on a farm with 131 cattle

22 June 2025

Orotelli, Nuoro, Sardinia

9 cases on a farm with 33 cattle

23 June 2025

Chambéry, Savoie, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

15 cases of a farm with 54 cattle.

25 June 2025

Porto Mantovano, Mantua, Lombardia

1 case on a farm with 285 cattle

26 June 2025

Orani, Nuoro, Sardinia

5 cases on a farm with 34 cattle

27 June 2025

Bottidda, Sassari, Sardinia

1 case on a farm with 502 cattle

30 June 2025

Orani, Nuoro, Sardinia

1 case on a farm with 19 cattle
     

Map of infected farms across Europe:

Map of infected farms in Sardinia:

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