Bovine dermatitis has hit the Oristano area for the first time in 2026. The national epidemiological bulletin from the Teramo Zooprophylactic Institute reports the first outbreak of Lumpy Skin Disease in Samugheo.

It's a small farm of nine animals , and a calf was found to be infected—the only one not vaccinated because it's too young . In recent days, the calf had shown typical symptoms of the disease, such as hard lumps all over its body. Veterinarians from the Oristano health authority arrived at the Samugheo farm and took samples from the animal, which were then sent to the Sardinian Zooprophylactic Institute. Confirmation arrived late this morning: it was contagious lumpy skin disease . All nine animals, as required by European regulations, will be culled in the coming days . Meanwhile, the Region has established a protection and surveillance zone within a 50-kilometer radius of the Samugheo farm, where all movement of cattle is suspended.

The outbreak, localized and confirmed in the Samugheo area, is the tenth since the beginning of the year in Sardinia; all the other nine had hit the south, particularly the Sarrabus area (Muravera, San Vito, and Villaputzu).

Of these nine, seven had been declared extinct and only two are still active: in San Vito and Escalaplano, they date back to the end of May and the beginning of June.

A total of 345 animals have been affected across all farms since the beginning of the year, of which 36 were found to be sick and 290 were culled.

"RAPID AND ADEQUATE COMPENSATION" – "The news of the bovine dermatitis outbreak is of great concern for the entire livestock sector . I express my sympathy, that of the municipal administration, and the entire community to the farmers who, once again, find themselves facing a difficult situation that puts the fruits of their labor and sacrifices at risk. I hope that, thanks to the commitment of the health authorities and everyone's collaboration, the situation can be resolved as quickly as possible, avoiding widespread and prolonged damage to local businesses," emphasizes Mayor Massimiliano Urru. He adds: "At the same time, we ask that support measures and compensation be swift and adequate, not only for the businesses directly affected, but also for those who will suffer the consequences of the restrictions and lockdowns imposed for health reasons. Institutions must stand by farmers, with concrete actions, rapid responses, and support commensurate with the difficulties they are facing."

Coldiretti provincial director Emanuele Spanò stated: "We hope this remains an isolated case. We trust in the local health authority's active commitment to vaccinations to prevent further damage in the area."

VACCINES – And regarding vaccinations, Dr. Enrico Vacca, director of the Animal Health Service, appeals: " Farmers who haven't yet vaccinated their animals should do so as soon as possible . Vaccine remains the only weapon to prevent lumpy skin disease from reaching your farms."

The vaccination campaign against lumpy skin disease (LDS) by the Animal Health Service of the Local Health Authority (ASL 5) is still ongoing and will conclude in the fall. So far, 60 percent of the Province of Oristano's cattle herd, which totals approximately 60,000 head, has been immunized . By 2025, 99 percent of the Oristano area's cattle had been vaccinated . Two cases of lumpy skin disease were recorded in the province last year, on two farms in Cuglieri and Paulilatino.

"There's no need to be afraid of the vaccine," Vacca reiterates. "Beyond movement control and the use of antiparasitics, vaccination is the real weapon against the spread of the lumpy skin virus. We need to vaccinate as many animals as possible as soon as possible, ideally by August." He then concludes: "Vaccines help build immunity, preventing the virus from entering and spreading within your herds. The side effects of this vaccine are completely normal."

FARMS – Biosecurity on farms is also important. As Dr. Giuseppe Sedda, director of the veterinary service for Livestock Hygiene and Livestock Production at Local Health Authority (ASL 5), points out: " Thorough cleaning of both clean and dirty areas is essential: all areas where cattle are kept must be disinfected: stables, manure heaps, and dunghills, where insects thrive. Furthermore, vehicles transporting animals, feed, milk, or any other means of transport entering or leaving the farms must also be disinfected, as insects could also nest there, as must work tools and clothing. Finally, visitor access must be minimized. Disease-carrying insects must be controlled using both larvicides, which eliminate larvae, and adulticides, which kill adult animals."

Meanwhile, the Animal Health Service has produced a factsheet to educate farmers about Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) and to help them understand how to recognize the symptoms and what to do if an infected animal is suspected. The factsheet can be downloaded from the ASL 5 website, which also features two informational videos produced by the press office.

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