by Andea Bedford, Bovine Veterinarian
Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is making its way through Western Europe. There is a current outbreak in France with recent cases being reported along the Spanish border.
First seen in Zambia in 1929, the disease has since spread north through Africa with outbreaks in Israel in 1989, the Middle East in the 2000s, and in 2013 it was detected in Turkey and the Balkans. Since then, LSD has been reported in Georgia, Russia, Bangladesh, and China. LSD has never been detected in the Western hemisphere or Australia.
LSD is an infectious disease of cattle and water buffalo. It is characterized by firm, round nodules on the skin, mucous membranes, and internal organs that can ulcerate; fever; emaciation; enlarged lymph nodes; skin edema; decreased fertility; and can result in death. Cattle affected by LSD have exhibited physical weakness, reduced milk production, poor growth, infertility, and increased abortion rates.
LSD is transmitted primarily through blood-feeding insect bites (flies, mosquitoes, ticks), but it can also be spread by direct contact between animals. Control relies on prompt detection, control of animal movement, and vaccination.
While this virus is not a threat to humans, its production impacts on cattle can be severe. LSD morbidity can vary widely among herds depending on vaccination status. Mortality is usually low, but production losses result in an economic hit for producers due to decreased performance, costs of care, and the potential for trade bans. In addition, secondary bacterial infections of the skin lesions can increase morbidity and extend recovery times. Because biting insects are the main transmission route, LSD risk is seasonal, increasing during warm, wet periods.
The Current LSD Situation
In 2025, several western and southern European countries that had been free of LSD reported their first confirmed outbreaks. Italy and France recorded initial cases in June, while Spain reported its first case in October. Following this, France banned cattle exports and bullfighting, while Spain announced a cull of affected animals and export limitations as LSD continues to spread.
Authorities in affected countries have implemented vaccination campaigns, movement controls, and heightened surveillance. Regional and international bodies, including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Organization for Animal Health, have convened experts to coordinate a response and have put together information sheets to aid in the development of LSD Contingency Plans and to answer any LSD vaccination questions.
What the US Needs to Know
To date, the US has not reported endemic LSD in domestic cattle, but USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has developed standard operating procedures for the disease. This document is meant to bolster the preparedness of the US for LSD occurrence and outlines the ecology of LSD, as well as information on vaccination and disease control. The FAO has also created an accredited veterinary LSD preparedness course.
The sudden appearance of characteristic skin nodules, concurrent fever, or unexplained drops in milk yield should be treated as suspicious and warrant immediate reporting to state animal health officials.
The following are some practical points for producers and vets surrounding LSD:
1. Know the signs: Multiple round, firm skin nodules (sometimes with ulceration), fever, swollen lymph nodes, and sharp drops in milk production.
2. Report quickly: Early notification to a veterinarian and a state health official triggers tracing, testing, and control measures that limit spread.
3. Vector reduction: Reduce insect breeding sites, use physical barriers (screens and fans), and consider using insecticides to lower transmission.
4. Movement control and biosecurity: Quarantine suspect animals, disinfect equipment, and limit personnel traffic to reduce mechanical spread.
5. Vaccination planning: Where outbreaks have occurred, mass vaccination has been a key tool to control spread. No specific LSD vaccine is currently approved for use in the US as it has not been prevalent here.
LSD is primarily an animal health and economic threat rather than a public health threat, but its expanding geographic reach over the past decade should put previously unaffected regions on alert.
