French authorities have reported the country's first outbreak of lumpy skin disease, a highly contagious viral infection affecting cattle, on a farm in the Savoie region near the Alps. The agriculture ministry confirmed the case on Sunday, describing it as a serious concern for livestock health. Lumpy skin disease, which spreads through insect bites, particularly mosquitoes and ticks, causes fever, blisters, weight loss, reduced milk production, and reproductive issues in cattle and buffaloes. While not dangerous to humans, it can result in significant economic losses and trade restrictions.
The virus, which is prevalent in North Africa, recently emerged in Italy, marking its first appearance there. A case confirmed on June 21 in Sardinia has prompted the UK to suspend imports of live cattle, raw milk, milk products, bovine offal, and germ plasm from affected regions.
The World Organisation for Animal Health noted the infection in France was confirmed after clinical signs were observed, though the source remains unclear.
In response, French authorities have imposed a 50-kilometre movement restriction around the affected farm to contain the spread.
Globally, the disease has caused severe outbreaks. In 2022, India reported nearly 100,000 cattle deaths and over two million infections. The outbreak particularly impacted small-scale farmers who rely on dairy cattle to buffer against climate shocks.
First identified in Zambia in 1929, the disease has since spread across Africa and into parts of Asia and Europe, with South Asia reporting its first cases in 2019.
