Cattle disease LSD spreads in Europe - danger for German farmers!

Cattle disease LSD spreads in Europe - danger for German farmers!

The Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), a dangerous beef disease, has recently reached Europe. With the first confirmed cases on June 21, 2025 in Sardinia, where seven out of 131 cattle showed symptoms, the Italian mainland and the French region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes are now affected. According to Vol.at An additional infected animal comes from the affected herd on Sardinia and was discovered in the Mantua region. This outbreak has already led to an increase in epidemic monitoring measures in Austria and Switzerland.

LSD is a disease caused by viruses that only affects cattle, zebus and buffalo while people are not at risk. The transmission is mainly through blood -sucking insects such as mosquitoes, piercing flies and ticks. Typical symptoms contain sudden fever, knotty skin changes, swollen lymph nodes and a decline in milk production. The animals concerned are considered highly infectious and often have to be culplic particularly, which can have significant economic consequences for agriculture.

epidemiological situation in Europe

The current epidemiological situation has intensified due to the outbreaks in Italy and France. food practice emphasizes that the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI) warns against a possible introduction to Germany. Pet owners and veterinarians are encouraged to be particularly vigilant and to report suspicions immediately to the responsible veterinary office. Trade restrictions can already exist in the affected regions to stop the distribution.

for the first time, LSD 2012 appeared in the Middle East and found its way to Europe in 2015, where Greece was affected. In recent years, the disease has been reported in several European countries and in Southeast Asia. Especially in warmer months, when insect activity increases, there is increasing outbreaks. The fli informs that the spread of LSD is favored due to the increasing temperatures and increased insect activity.

preventive measures and warnings

The economic effects for agriculture could be significant because production failures and animal losses can heavily burden the industry. Animal top associations are already concerned about impending losses through export stops of cattle and dairy products. In the past, economic damage has already occurred in other animal diseases such as blue -fuel disease.