Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) is still active in France and Italy

For the past three months, Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) has been present in France and Italy. As of 26 September, there were a total of 147 outbreaks (79 in France and 68 in Italy). The veterinary authorities reacted immediately in accordance with WOAH guidelines and European regulations: Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687. Restricted zones were established in these two Member States and in three Swiss cantons bordering the French restricted zone. A massive, compulsory emergency protective vaccination plan was implemented in all of these zones. To this end, France and Italy received support from the European Commission’s vaccine bank. The management of outbreaks is accompanied by two key measures that are essential and complementary to vaccination to ensure the eradication of sources of contamination: the stamping out of contaminated epidemiological units and the implementation of reinforced biosecurity measures, including a ban on movements.

As a preventive measure, France has also decided to vaccinate the entire cattle population in Corsica against LSD due to the epidemiological situation in Sardinia.

Vaccination rates are already very high, exceeding 90% in some areas, thanks to the exceptional efforts of veterinarians, the competent authorities, farmers and their animal health services. It is also important to highlight the mobilisation of approved diagnostic laboratories, which carry out the necessary analyses within extremely short timeframes in order to confirm or rule out suspected cases of the disease as quickly as possible.

However, as the latest outbreaks show, the disease is still circulating. And even though the contaminated areas remain very limited, LSD is spreading geographically. It is therefore crucial to strictly comply with biosecurity rules and movement restrictions. Farmers and veterinarians are asked to be extremely vigilant and to report any suspected cases to the competent authorities without delay.

FESASS expresses its support for farmers affected by this disease and for all those involved in control and prevention operations. For further information, please find attached two presentations made by our French and Italian members on the fight against this disease at the FESASS Board meeting on Tuesday 23 September 2025.

Dounload:
LSD situation update in Italy
Lumpy Skin Disease in France

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