Animal Disease Situation

Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in Europe – Current Epidemiological Situation

Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) is a notifiable viral disease of cattle caused by Capripox viruses. The disease is endemic in Africa and the Middle East and has been spreading increasingly in Europe and Southeast Asia over recent years. Transmission of the LSD virus occurs mainly mechanically through the skin by blood-sucking insects (arthropod vectors). Therefore, disease transmission primarily takes place during warmer seasons, as higher temperatures favor insect activity.

Epidemiological situation

Since 2012, LSD cases have been reported in the Middle East and first appeared in Greece in 2015. In 2016, a complex outbreak occurred in Southeast Europe, with LSD spreading northwestward from the Balkans. Vaccination programs in affected countries such as Greece, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro, and Albania helped control the situation until the end of 2017. Vaccinations continued in the region for several more years, and Turkey reported its last LSD outbreak in 2021. This was followed by a period without further outbreaks in Southeast Europe until May 2025. Meanwhile, LSD has also been spreading steadily in parts of Southeast Asia, with recent reports of outbreaks in several countries in that region, highlighting the global expansion of the disease.

On June 23, 2025, Italy reported its first LSD outbreak in Sardinia, followed by another outbreak on June 25, 2025, in Northern Italy (Mantua, Lombardy). On June 30, 2025, France reported its first LSD outbreak in the Savoie region near the Swiss border. On July 2, 2025, Italy reported further LSD outbreaks in Sardinia, indicating a spread of the new outbreak in Southern Europe. This development significantly worsens the epidemiological situation of LSD in Europe, especially as the period of increased insect activity favors vector-borne transmission.

Clinical Symptoms

Affected cattle show fever and typical nodular skin lesions (nodules), especially on the head, neck, back, and udders. These lesions can sometimes be very subtle and detectable only by palpation. The udders and teats are regularly affected by skin changes. Lymph node swelling, nasal and ocular discharge, general weakness, and decreased milk production are common. Pregnant cattle may abort. Subclinical or asymptomatic infections are also possible, making early detection of LSD in cattle herds challenging.

Recommendations

Farmers and veterinarians are urged to immediately notify the responsible veterinary authorities if LSD is suspected. Suspected cases must be promptly investigated. Samples from altered skin areas with crusts and nodules are best suited for virus detection (skin biopsies and scrapings). Blood, nasal, and saliva swabs are also usable samples and should be sent to the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for LSD at the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Greifswald-Insel Riems. Only through early detection and consistent action can further spread of the disease be prevented.