France has confirmed the first case of lumpy skin disease on a cattle farm, the Ministry of Agriculture announced on Monday.
The outbreak was detected in the Savoie region near the Alps on Sunday.
Lumpy skin disease is a highly contagious viral disease that affects cattle and buffalo, causing blisters and reducing milk production. The disease is spread through insect bites.
French authorities have imposed restrictions on the movement of cattle within a 50-kilometre radius of the affected farm to contain the spread.
Although lumpy skin disease does not pose a risk to humans, it usually leads to trade restrictions.
Following the case detected on June 21 on a livestock farm in Italian Sardinia, the UK has restricted imports of live animals, their embryos, raw milk and dairy products of animal origin, as well as animal by-products.
All measures provided for in national and public protocols have already been initiated in Sardinia, including epidemiological investigations to determine the source of infection and reconstruct its possible spread.
Operators in the sector were instructed to regularly monitor the health of animals and immediately report any abnormalities, even minor ones, such as fever, skin lesions localised on the head, neck, back, udder or legs, lacrimation, nasal discharge or lameness, to the ASL Veterinary Services. Particular attention is also being paid to the control of insect vectors such as mosquitoes, flies and ticks, which transmit the virus.
The detection of a lumpy rash on a livestock farm in France highlights the need for continuous monitoring of animal health and the implementation of measures to prevent the spread of diseases.
