Evidence collection19 February 2026
Published 19 February 2026
Following the recent cases of Lumpy skin disease in France this evidence collection brings together a curated selection of evidence-based resources from reputable sources and the peer reviewed literature, providing information on how to recognise the disease as well as references relating to the epidemiology and control of the disease.
What is Lumpy skin disease?
Lumpy skin disease is a viral disease caused by a host specific poxvirus that affects cattle. It is related to the Sheep-pox and Goat-pox viruses.
The disease is endemic in many African countries where it is considered to be of high economic importance. Since 2012 it has spread through the Middle East to south-east Europe, as well as to Asia.
It is principally transmitted by blood-feeding insects, such as certain species of flies and mosquitoes, or ticks. Direct contact is considered to play a minor role in transmission, but transmission through infected semen and transplacental transmission have both been reported.
It causes fever, anorexia and depression, significant reduction in milk yield enlarged superficial lymph nodes and skin nodules (2-5cm diameter), particularly on the head, neck, limbs, udder, genitalia and perineum, within 48 hours of onset of fever.
Pox lesions, erosions and ulcers may develop in the mucous membranes of the mouth and alimentary tract and in the trachea and lungs leading to rhinitis, conjunctivitis and excessive salivation.
- World Organisation for Animal Health (2022) Lumpy skin disease technical disease card [WOAH] [online]. Available from: https://www.woah.org/en/document/lumpy-skin-disease-technical-disease-card/ [Accessed 27 January 2026]
- World Organisation for Animal Health (2022) Frequently asked questions (FAQ) on Lumpy skin disease (LSD) [WOAH] [online]. Available from: https://www.woah.org/en/document/frequently-asked-questions-faq-on-lumpy-skin-disease-lsd/ [Accessed 27 January 2026]
Outbreaks in Europe
- World Organisation for Animal Health (2025) Statement on recent lumpy skin disease outbreaks in Europe [WOAH] [online]. Available from: https://www.woah.org/en/statement-on-recent-lumpy-skin-disease-outbreaks-in-europe/ [Accessed 27 January 2026]
- Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (2025) Lumpy skin disease in Europe [DEFRA] [online]. Available from: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/lumpy-skin-disease-in-europe [Accessed 27 January 2026]
- Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Animal & Plant Health Agency (2025) 1 July 2025: Outbreak of lumpy skin disease in France [DEFRA APHA] [online]. Available from: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/official-veterinary-surgeon-ovs-notes/1-july-2025-outbreak-of-lumpy-skin-disease-in-france [Accessed 27 January 2026]
- Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Animal & Plant Health Agency (2023) Lumpy skin disease: How to spot and report it [DEFRA APHA] [online]. Available from: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/lumpy-skin-disease [Accessed 27 January 2026]
- European Food Safety Authority. Lumpy skin disease [EFSA] [online]. Available from: https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/topics/topic/lumpy-skin-disease [Accessed 27 January 2026]
- Beard, P.M. (2016) Lumpy skin disease: A direct threat to Europe. Veterinary Record, 178 (22), pp. 557-558. https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.i2800
- Whittle, L., Chapman, R. and Williamson, A.-L. (2023) Lumpy skin disease – An emerging cattle disease in Europe and Asia. Vaccines, 11 (3), 578. https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines11030578
Epidemiology
- Moudgil, G. et al. (2024) Lumpy skin disease: Insights into current status and geographical expansion of a transboundary viral disease. Microbial Pathogenesis, 186, 106485. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106485
- European Food Safety Authority et al. (2020) Lumpy skin disease epidemiological report IV: Data collection and analysis. EFSA Journal, 18 (2), p.e06010. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2020.6010
- Renald, E. et al. (2023) The role of modeling in the epidemiology and control of lumpy skin disease: A systematic review. Bulletin of the National Research Centre, 47 (1), 141. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42269-023-01111-z
- Bianchini, J. et al. (2023) Lumpy skin disease: A systematic review of mode of transmission, risk of emergence and risk entry pathway. Viruses, 15 (8), 1622. https://doi.org/10.3390/v15081622
- Sprygin, A. et al. (2019) Transmission of lumpy skin disease virus: A short review. Virus Research, 269, p.197637. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.virusres.2019.05.015
Surveillance and control
- European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) et al. (2018) Lumpy skin disease: Scientific and technical assistance on control and surveillance activities. EFSA Journal, 16 (10), p.e05452. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2018.5452
- Tuppurainen, E.S.M. et al. (2020) Field observations and experiences gained from the implementation of control measures against lumpy skin disease in South-East Europe between 2015 and 2017. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 181, p.104600. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2018.12.006
- Tuppurainen, E. et al. (2021) Review: vaccines and vaccination against lumpy skin disease. Vaccines (Basel), 9, 1136. https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9101136
- Almuallem, N.A. and Chauhan, R.P. (2025) Effects of quarantine and vaccination on the transmission of Lumpy skin disease: A fractional approach. PLOS ONE, 20 (7), p.e0327673. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0327673
About evidence collections
Evidence collections bring together collections of published papers on topics of interest and importance to the veterinary professions. Papers are chosen for relevance and accessibility, with the full text of articles either being available through the RCVS Knowledge library, on open access or from other publications to which a significant number of veterinary professionals are likely to have access. This means that there may be relevant evidence that is not included.
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