France battles rapid spread of viral cattle disease in cheese regions
A vaccination campaign launched on July 19 has so far covered around 100,000 cows in four Alpine departments, including Savoie and Haute-Savoie, where the outbreaks were detected, it said.
Lumpy skin disease, a viral illness transmitted by insect bites, causes blisters and lowers milk production in cattle. It does not pose a risk to humans but often leads to trade bans and economic losses.
A stage of the Tour de France cycling race was shortened last week after an outbreak along the planned route led to cattle culls and restricted access.
The outbreaks have raised the alarm over the economic impact in regions known for production of cheeses such as Reblochon, Beaufort and Tomme de Savoie.
"We are in a growth phase of the disease," a farm ministry official told reporters.
France's national cattle herd numbers about 17 million, the largest in the European Union.
Britain and other countries have banned imports of raw milk cheese from France due to the recent outbreaks, French dairy producers said.
Lumpy skin disease is widespread in North Africa and was also detected in Italy in late June.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
New York City preparing for outbreak of SECOND 'highly contagious' virus... as cases spread to neighboring states
New York is gearing up for an outbreak of another highly contagious virus, as the number of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases spike across the eastern US. As New York City is currently grappling with a Legionnaires' outbreak that has infected 67 people and killed three, doctors in the borough of Staten Island are also raising concern over an uptick in HFMD. A handful of cases have already been reported and there's been reports of increasing cases in multiple states, including Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Ohio, Kansas, and West Virginia. HFMD is a viral disease that can lead to painful lesions forming on the hands, mouth and feet as well as fever and a sore throat. It usually affects children under age 10 with the immune systems of adults typically strong enough to prevent the virus from infecting them. HFMD outbreaks most commonly occur at nurseries and schools, but immunocompromised adults are at risk, too. The CDC does not track cases of the virus so there is little data available on case numbers. However, Dr Edith Bracho-Sanchez, a pediatrician at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York, revealed she has seen more cases of HFMD in the past few weeks than she has over the past decade. And Dr Natasha Burgert, a Kansas-based pediatrician and national spokeswoman for the American Academy of Pediatrics, said she has seen the same trend. 'What I'm seeing in my own practice mirrors the surge my colleagues are reporting nationwide,' she told The New York Times. HFMD is caused by the virus coxsackievirus 16. It can be passed through the air or by coming into close contact with a person who hasn't washed their hands after using the bathroom. HFMD infections tend to spike in the summer and early fall because children are more likely to mix in environments where the disease can spread, such as at summer camps, pools and theme parks, as well as the start of school. Some studies also suggest that warmer and more humid weather in the summer months may be more favorable for the survival and transmission of the viruses that cause HFMD. HFMD typically causes fever, vomiting and a rash covering the mouth, hands and feet that clears up within 10 days. But in very young patients, the illness can be much more serious and lead to seizures, triggered by inflammation of the fluid surrounding the brain. The disease is highly transmissible, spread via contact with fluids from an infected person, such as from blisters, and by swallowing infected water. Experts warn that water parks can spread the highly contagious disease if their water has not been treated properly, leaving children at risk of infection. In Philadelphia, a water park was closed for a day in July after a child who had visited the location contracted HFMD. About 10 to 15million cases of HFMD are recorded in the US every year, estimates suggest, mostly among children under five years old. Those who are infected are recommended to take over-the-counter pain medications to help relieve fever and pain caused by mouth sores. Patients are also told to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, saying this may happen because mouth sores make it painful to swallow. Children diagnosed with the disease should avoid contact with others for at least seven days in order to dodge them spreading the infection.
The Independent
5 hours ago
- The Independent
What risk does chikungunya pose to the UK after virus outbreak in China?
Cases of a mosquito-borne viral disease have spiked in China this month as the country imposes Covid-era regulations in the most affected areas. There have been nearly 8,000 cases of chikungunya in under a month, focused largely in Foshan city and Guangdong region. The rapid rise in cases has prompted fears of a wider outbreak, despite the strict measures put in place by Chinese authorities. There is also a rising number of imported chikungunya cases in Europe. According to data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) here have been 48 cases reported in France since 1 May, alongside two in Italy. Since the beginning of 2025, 240,000 cases and 90 deaths related to chikungunya virus disease have been reported in 16 countries across the globe. In China, authorities have imposed strict measures to prevent the spread of the virus, drawing comparisons to its approach to the Covid pandemic. New rules have seen patients required to stay within quarantine zones inside hospitals, while soldiers wearing masks have been deployed to spray insecticides in public places to exterminate mosquitoes. In the UK, there were 26 infections detected in travellers returning to the country from other locations between January and March this year. The risk in this country remains low, but the UK Health Security Agency is urging people to take precautions when travelling. Hilary Kirkbride, head of travel health at UK Health Security Agency, said: 'There is continued transmission of chikungunya globally and we continue to see infections in travellers returning to the UK. 'It is essential to take precautions against mosquito-borne infections such as chikungunya while travelling abroad. Simple steps, such as using insect repellent, covering exposed skin and sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets, can effectively reduce the risk. 'Before you travel, check the TravelHealthPro website for the latest health advice on your destination. A chikungunya vaccine may also considered for those travelling to higher risk regions.' Here's everything you need to know about the virus: What is chikungunya virus disease? Chikungunya virus disease is a mosquito-borne disease that is widely found in tropical and subtropical regions. It is only spread to humans by a bite from an infected mosquito, and cannot be passed between humans. The 240,000 cases detected in 2025 so far have been found in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Brazil has the most cases, with over 185,553, followed by Bolivia (4,721) and Argentina (2,836). Two French islands off the east coast of Africa, La Réunion and Mayotte, are also experiencing ongoing outbreaks of the disease, with over 55,000 cases combined as of July 2025. The virus was first detected in Tanzania in 1952, after which it spread to other countries in sub-Saharan Africa and South East Asia. It has been reported in 119 countries across the globe to date. What are the symptoms of chikungunya? Most people will develop symptoms of chikungunya within three to seven days of being bitten by an infected mosquito. One of the most pronounced symptoms is joint pain, which can be severe in some cases. Other symptoms include fever, rash, headache, muscle pain and swollen joints. In most cases, an infected individual will feel better within a week. However, severe cases can see joint pain persist for months or even years. Those most at risk from severe symptoms include newborns, older people, and those with underlying health conditions. Deaths from the disease are rare.
The Sun
6 hours ago
- The Sun
Patients ‘isolated' and Covid-like alerts issued as surge of ‘disabling' virus in China sparks global outbreak fears
CHINESE officials have imposed Covid-like measures in parts of the country in an effort to curb surging cases of a "disabling" virus. More than 7,000 people have fallen ill with the mosquito-borne chickungunya virus, the largest outbreak of its kind ever to be documented in China, according to experts. 6 6 6 The virus's rapid spread is sparking fears of a global outbreak, with cases expected to continue increasing in the next few weeks. Most cases have been reported in the city of Foshan, in the southern province of Guangdong, with the authorities tackling the rise in cases with methods employed during the Covid pandemic. Infected patients are being kept in hospital for a minimum of one week. Authorities briefly enforced a two-week home quarantine, which was dropped since the disease is spread by mosquitoes and can't be transmitted between people. Meanwhile, people who do not empty bottles, flower pots or other receptacles with standing water - which can attract mozzies - have been slapped with fines of up to 10,000 yuan ($1,400) and have their electricity cut off. No deaths from the virus have been reported but at least 12 other cities in Guangdong have reported infections. At least 3,000 cases were detected over the past week, bringing the total to over 10,000 in the country. It comes after the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned last month that chickungunya could soon affect billions across the globe - as it tears through parts of the Indian Ocean and edges closer to Europe. The health watchdog said it was seeing the same warning signs as in the last major outbreak two decades ago, when nearly half a million were infected worldwide. "We are seeing history repeating itself," said Dr Diana Rojas Alvarez, WHO's technical lead on the virus. Chikungunya is spread by infected mosquitoes and causes symptoms such as sudden high fever, severe joint and muscle pain, fatigue, rash, and headaches. Most people recover in a couple of weeks, but some people - especially older adults - may suffer from long-lasting arthritis-like joint pain. Dr César López-Camacho, from the Jenner Institute at the University of Oxford, said: "Although chikungunya rarely causes death, it can be extremely uncomfortable and disabling. "The most vulnerable include the elderly, newborns, and people with underlying health conditions." 6 6 6 Chinese health authorities say cases are dropping off slowly, but Dr López-Camacho warned it is likely that chickunguya infections will continue to be reported for the next few weeks. He described the situation as a "significant outbreak". "With over 7,000 confirmed cases reported in Guangdong Province, this is the largest chikungunya outbreak ever documented in China. "Until now, the country had only recorded a few imported cases, with no sustained local transmission. Chikungunya: Signs and symptoms Chikungunya is a disease caused by the chikungunya virus, which spreads to humans through infected mosquitoes. Major outbreaks and scattered cases have been reported across the Americas, Asia, and Africa. Now, with smaller flare-ups starting to appear in Europe, it's important to be aware of the symptoms. Not everyone infected with chikungunya will show symptoms, but for those who do, symptoms typically begin 4 to 8 days after the bite of an infected mosquito and include: Sudden onset of high fever Severe joint pain (often debilitating) Joint swelling, especially in the hands, wrists, ankles, and feet Muscle pain Headache Nausea Fatigue Rash Most patients recover fully from chikungunya infection, although occasional cases can involve serious complications affecting the eyes, heart, or nervous system. Some can also be left with deformities. Newborns infected either during delivery or by mosquito bites shortly after birth, and older adults with underlying health conditions are at higher risk of severe disease. In such cases, hospitalisation may be necessary due to the risk of organ damage and even death. 'What makes this event notable is that chikungunya has never been established in mainland China before. "This suggests that most of the population had no pre-existing immunity, making it easier for the virus to spread quickly." Outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases tend to happen "in populations that are 'naive' to the virus, meaning people have not been previously exposed and are not protected", Dr López-Camacho. Authorities in China have deployed a series of preventive measures to curb the spread of the virus, spraying clouds of disinfectant around city streets, residential areas, construction sites and even sending out drones to hunt down insect breeding grounds. Heavy rains and high temperatures have worsened the situation in China. Chikungunya causes regular outbreaks in Africa, Asia and the Americas, and has also been spotted in Europe. As of July, there have been about 240,000 cases of chikungunya, including 90 deaths in 16 countries, according to the European Centres for Disease Prevention and Control. The countries that reported the highest number of infections were Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina and Peru. How concerning is this outbreak? Though tactics adopted by authorities in China hark back to lockdown measures five years ago, chikungunya "does not pose the same level of pandemic threat as a virus like COVID-19", according to Prof Tom Solomon, director of The Pandemic Institute in Liverpool. Dr López-Camacho added: 'It is extremely unlikely to cause a pandemic in the traditional sense, as chikungunya does not spread from person to person. "However, it can cause large regional outbreaks, especially when introduced to mosquito-rich, low-immunity settings, like what we are probably seeing in China." The risk to the UK from this outbreak is "currently low" as Aedes mosquitoes, which tend to carry the virus, aren't widespread here. "But we do need to watch closely, as climate change and global travel are expanding the range of these mosquitoes, and with it, the viruses they carry," Dr López-Camacho warned. 'It is also important that genetic sequencing of the virus in this outbreak is carried out. "In past outbreaks, mutations have helped chikungunya adapt to new mosquito species. "If the virus has changed, we need to ensure current vaccines still offer protection." Brits travelling to China amidst the outbreak should "be cautious", the disease expert said. "The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a Level 2 travel alert, recommending travellers use insect repellent, wear long sleeves, and stay in screened or air-conditioned accommodation. "Travellers returning from affected areas who develop fever and joint pain should seek medical attention and mention their recent travel." People travelling to high-risk areas where outbreaks of the virus often occur can get vaccinated against chikungunya at a travel clinic. But Prof Solomon noted: "There have been reports of serious side effects in people over the age of 65. "As such, the vaccine is currently recommended for travellers under 65 visiting high-risk areas."
