Lumpy Skin Disease

Key Takeaways:

• Notifiable disease: It is a notifiable viral disease affecting cattle and water buffalo.

• No risk to humans: It does not affect people or food safety.

• Symptoms: The disease is characterized by painful, firm, round nodules on the skin; morbidity is moderate (around 5 – 50%).

• Prevention: Vaccination, good hygiene and biosecurity measures are the most effective measures.

• Trade impact: Outbreaks can lead to trade and movement restrictions

What is lumpy skin disease?

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is caused by a virus from the poxvirus family and is mainly spread by blood-feeding insects, such as biting flies, mosquitoes and midges. It can also spread through close contact, contaminated equipment, faeces and infected germinal products. The spread is often seasonal, increasing during warm, wet weather when insect populations are high. 

LSD spreads rapidly and can cause significant economic losses, which is why it is a notifiable disease. Importantly, it does not pose a risk to human health or food safety.

Recent developments in France and the UK

First confirmed case in France: 29th June 2025, on a cattle farm in Chambery.

Consequence: France lost its LSD free status.

UK measures: From 1st July 2025, DEFRA have suspended many imports to the UK, including:

• Live animals 

• Germplasm  

• Offal (except diaphragm and masseter muscles) 

• Raw milk and raw dairy products, including raw colostrum 

• Hides and skins, unless they have been dry-salted or wet-salted for at least 14 days before departure, treated for at least 7 days in salt with the addition of 2% sodium carbonate or dried for at least 42 days at a temperature of at least 20°C. 

• All animal by-products of bovine origin (Except certain WOAH safe products: gelatine and collagen, tallow, hooves and horn), unless they have undergone heat treatment to a minimum internal temperature of 65°C for at least 30 minutes.  

Symptoms of LSD

The incubation period is 4 – 14 days. Only about half of infected cattle show the characteristic skin eruptions and some animals may show no symptoms.

Common symptoms include:

• Fever: Often the first sign of infection

• Nodules: Firm, painful, 1 – 3 cm in diameter, on skin, mouth and internal tracts

• Reduced milk yield: Sudden and severe drop in production

• Swollen lymph nodes: Particularly in the neck and other areas

• Discharge from the nose and eyes

• Other complications: Lameness, anorexia, infertility in bulls, abortions in cows

• Sit-fasts: As the disease progresses, nodules may develop necrotic cores that slough off, leaving deep ulcers

Treatment

There is no specific antiviral treatment for LSD. Supportive care is the only option for infected animals:

• Anti-inflammatory drugs (reduce fever and pain)

• Antibiotics (prevent secondary bacterial infections)

• Topical sprays on skin lesions

Prevention and control  

Because LSD is notifiable, suspected or confirmed cases must be reported to DEFRA immediately.

Main prevention strategies:

• Vaccination: Live, attenuated LSD virus vaccines are most effective. In areas where both lumpy skin disease and goat pox are present, a goat pox vaccine (Gorgan strain) may also be used.

• Movement control: Restricting and monitoring cattle movements helps contain outbreaks.

• Vector control: Using insecticides and eliminating breeding sites such as standing water reduces insect populations.

• Biosecurity: Isolating new animals, disinfecting equipment, and enforcing strict hygiene practices are essential.

Economic impacts 

LSD can have severe economic consequences for the cattle industry, including:  

• Reduced milk and meat production

• Permanent damage to hides, reducing their value

• High costs of treatment and prevention

• Trade and movement restrictions of cattle and cattle products

• Potential cattle deaths