Lumpy Skin Disease in Europe: First Case Confirmed in Spain — Girona, Catalonia

As of October 4, 2025, Spain has officially joined the list of European countries affected by Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), with the first confirmed case reported in Girona, Catalonia. This marks a critical moment in the disease’s westward spread and raises immediate concerns for regional containment and cross-border coordination.

📍 Europe’s LSD Landscape: October 2025

- Spain: First-ever case confirmed in Girona, Catalonia.

- France: Ongoing outbreaks in Ain, Savoie, and Haute-Savoie.

- Italy: Active cases in Sardinia.

- North Africa: Continued viral pressure from Algeria and Tunisia since mid-2024.

🧬 LSD Overview

Lumpy Skin Disease is a vector-borne viral disease caused by the Capripoxvirus, affecting cattle and water buffalo. It spreads via biting insects (mosquitoes, flies, ticks) and can cause:

- Nodular skin lesions

- Fever, edema, and mucosal damage

- Reduced productivity and fertility

- Trade disruptions and economic losses

🚨 Girona Outbreak: What We Know

- The case was confirmed in a beef cattle operation near Girona.

- Veterinary authorities have initiated movement restrictions, epidemiological tracing, and vaccination protocols using the Neethling strain.

- The outbreak’s location near the French border heightens the risk of cross-border transmission, especially given active cases in southern France.

🛡️ Strategic Response

- Emergency vaccination is underway in affected zones.

- Vector control measures are being deployed to limit insect transmission.

- Surveillance has been intensified across Catalonia and neighboring regions.

📣 Implications for Stakeholders

- Livestock producers should monitor animals closely and report any suspicious symptoms.

- Veterinarians must remain alert for clinical signs and support containment efforts.

- Policy makers should prepare for potential trade impacts and coordinate with EU partners.

🧭 Final Note

Spain’s first LSD case in Girona is a wake-up call for the Iberian Peninsula. With vector activity still high in early autumn, rapid containment and regional coordination will be essential to prevent further spread.

Stay informed. Act early. Protect your herds.