An outbreak of lumpy skin disease was confirmed for the first time in France, in a cattle herd near Chambéry, in the south-eastern department of Savoie, on 29 June. The viral vector-borne disease only affects bovines, including buffalo and zebu, but not small ruminants.
The affected cattle showed clinical signs (fever and skin nodules) and the disease was confirmed by the reference laboratory on 29 June. The farm will now be depopulated and a protection zone (20 km) as well as a surveillance zone (50 km) have been set up.
The notifiable disease was previously detected in Italy (Sardinia and Lombardy).
(©photo Gilles Detot/Unsplash)