Lumpy Skin Disease hits Western Europe for the first time  

EUROPE – The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has sounded the alarm following the first-ever outbreaks of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in France and Italy, marking the virus’s unprecedented arrival in Western Europe and signalling an urgent need for regional vigilance.

The outbreaks, officially reported and swiftly followed up by both countries, represent a significant shift in the epidemiological landscape of the disease, which had remained largely confined to other regions until now. 

Authorities in France and Italy are already implementing containment measures in line with international standards.

“These are the first-ever cases of LSD in these countries,” WOAH noted in a statement. “It highlights the urgent need for heightened surveillance and coordinated response.”

Lumpy Skin Disease is a highly contagious, vector-borne viral illness that primarily affects cattle, water buffaloes and certain wild ruminants. 

While the disease does not pose a risk to human health, either through direct contact or consumption of animal products, its economic consequences can be severe, particularly for farmers. Infected animals may suffer from reduced milk yield, weight loss, and impaired fertility.

The virus is mainly spread by biting insects such as flies and mosquitoes, but the movement of infected animals typically drives long-distance transmission.

Urgent call for early detection and collaboration

WOAH emphasised the importance of early detection, rapid response and vaccination using high-quality vaccines as key pillars of control. It also underscored the necessity of cross-border and cross-disciplinary cooperation to prevent further spread.

“Early detection and rapid response, including movement control and vaccination with high-quality vaccines, remain critical to controlling LSD outbreaks,” the statement said.

From 2016 to 2024, WOAH, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the European Union, successfully supported regional coordination in South-East Europe, ultimately eradicating LSD from the region through effective vaccination campaigns.

Meanwhile, WOAH continues to monitor the disease in regions where it remains endemic, including parts of Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

Battling misinformation

As the disease spreads, so too does misinformation, a trend that WOAH warns could compromise control efforts and fuel unnecessary panic. 

“False claims around vaccines can erode public trust in disease control measures,” the organisation cautioned. “Misinformation around the safety of milk for human consumption can equally promote consumer doubts, impacting market stability.”

To address these challenges, WOAH is actively disseminating accurate, science-based information through FAQs and technical resources tailored to veterinarians, farmers, and policymakers. 

It is also maintaining close contact with its network of Reference Laboratories and member countries, facilitating knowledge sharing through webinars and other collaborative platforms.

“WOAH urges all stakeholders – especially those in animal health and agriculture – to rely on trusted, science-based information,” the statement concluded.

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