Lisbon, April 15, 2026 (Lusa) – Portugal’s agriculture minister, José Manuel Fernandes, said on Wednesday the state had bought 20,000 doses of vaccines against Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), a viral infection affecting cattle transmitted by blood-feeding insects, but hopes not to use them as it aims to eradicate the disease.
"We bought 20,000 vaccine doses and I hope they are never used," the minister said during a parliamentary hearing of the Agriculture and Fisheries committee.
He explained the country wants to eradicate the disease and therefore, "there can be no vaccine without an outbreak."
The National Federation of Livestock Producer Cooperatives (Fenapecuária) requested a "robust preventive response" against LSD on 13 March following outbreaks in Spain.
The group warned of the increased risk of the disease entering Portugal and urged an immediate boost to surveillance and biosafety measures.
Livestock producers seek a "robust preventive response" based on control, livestock monitoring, and the application of biosafety measures and strict contingency plans, "particularly in events involving animal concentration or movement."
The national veterinary authority (DGAV) clarified in February that no LSD cases exist in the country, despite standing water favouring insect proliferation.
The country maintains reinforced clinical surveillance and has not applied new animal movement restrictions.
Authorities only allow emergency vaccination in restriction zones around a confirmed focus or bordering areas. Preventive vaccination remains prohibited.
LSD affects cattle and certain wild ruminant species like water buffalo. It comes from the 'Poxviridae' virus family, transmitted by insects such as flies, mosquitoes, and ticks.
The virus also spreads through direct contact between sick and healthy animals or through contaminated water and food.
Cattle symptoms usually include fever, anorexia, excessive salivation, eye and nose discharge, decreased milk production, and weight loss.
Skin lesions in the form of nodules and swellings may appear.
The mortality rate is around 10%.
PE/LYT // AYLS
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