Lumpy skin disease outbreaks contained, EFSA reports
As of 2016, lumpy skin disease had been reported in seven European countries
Outbreaks of lumpy skin disease in south-eastern Europe during 2015-16 were successfully contained by mass vaccination of cattle, according to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
Lumpy skin disease is an infectious disease of cattle, characterised by skin nodules. It causes economic losses and is occasionally fatal.
Previously limited to southern and eastern Africa, the disease was detected in Turkey in 2013 and subsequently spread through south-eastern Europe. As of 2016 it had been reported in seven European countries - Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, Albania, Montenegro, Kosovo and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
Scientific evidence published by EFSA in August 2016 recommended vaccination to minimise outbreaks in affected or at-risk regions.
EFSA veterinary surgeon Alessandro Broglia: “Despite the difficult epidemiological situation, all countries involved in the data collection have shown a high level of commitment and cooperation."
Further scientific evidence is expected at the beginning of 2018.
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
