France: Outbreak of lumpy skin disease in new department, Rhône

On September 18, 2025, an outbreak of lumpy skin disease (LSD) was reported in Rhône, France. This is the first case in this department. The number of LSD infections in France now stands at 79. The disease has previously been found in the departments of l’Ain (2), Savoie (32), Haute-Savoie (44), and now also in Rhône (1).

Control measures

The French government has established a new restricted zone and will begin a vaccination campaign there this week. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) is tracking potentially high-risk imports from this new restricted zone. It is important to remain vigilant regarding transport from the departments surrounding the restricted zones. View the list of LSD outbreaks in France here.

Lumpy skin disease

Lumpy skin disease is a notifiable disease found in bovine animals, such as cows, water buffalo, bison, and has been found in some wild ruminants. The pathogen is the LSD virus, which is primarily transmitted by blood-sucking arthropods (such as biting flies, mosquitoes, and ticks). The disease begins with a high fever, inflammation of the eyes and nose, and reduced milk production. Lumps and swellings develop all over the body, particularly on the head, neck, udder, and legs, making walking difficult. Lumpy skin disease is not a zoonosis and therefore not contagious to humans.

This disease has never been reported in the Netherlands.

Sources: https://draaf.auvergne-rhone-alpes.agriculture.gouv.fr/dermatose-nodulaire-contagieuse-bovine-a6240.html and https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-event/6584/dashboard