Between January 2024 and May 2025, there have been reports of Bovine Disease Outbreaks in various countries. The diseases referred to in the reports were Foot-and-Mouth Disease, New World Screwworm, and Lumpy Skin Disease. The continued outbreaks of these diseases are indicative of the widespread poor conditions of the systems for animal health, the biosecurity, and the vaccination strategies.
Bovine Disease Outbreaks 2025
The recent global report from the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) illustrates how Bovine Disease Outbreaks remain the key factor that disturbs livestock industries worldwide. While Europe is dealing with the outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), the New World Screwworm (NWS) is spreading in Central America, and Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) is invading Asia and Africa, the epidemics are changing the animal health scenery all over the world.
Foot-and-Mouth Disease Resurgence
During the period from January 2024 to May 2025, 46 countries had 6,895 cases of Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreaks. Among the incidents were 32 exceptional epidemiological events, indicating the continuous appearance of new strains.
- Germany announced the occurrence of FMD for the first time since 1988, the case was of serotype O in buffaloes.
- South Africa experienced the first case of serotype SAT 3 in an area.
- China reported the first incident of serotype O in a district.
- Besides these, reappearances were also found in Hungary, Slovakia, and 11 other nations.
There were 335 FMD outbreaks with 26 events considered active as of May 2025. The experts warn that cross-protection between FMD serotypes is not given, which makes the application of vaccines more difficult. Nowadays, the very precise identification of a strain is the main issue to prevent ford bovine disease outbreaks.
Main Distribution of FMD Serotypes (2024–2025):
- Serotype O – 67%
- Serotype SAT 3 – 11%
- Serotype SAT 2 – 8%
- Serotype SAT 1 – 8%
- Untyped – 6%
New World Screwworm Returns
The New World Screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) has come back after it was eliminated for decades in North America. Between January 2024 and May 2025, 16,725 foci were reported in 19 countries.
- It was first found in Mexico since the 1970s.
- Back again in Nicaragua, which was the source of more than 60% of the cases.
- The events took place in Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, too, and were very widespread.
The emergency reactions have been the release of sterile flies and the imposition of stricter livestock movement regulations. Yet, the economic risk resulting from the U.S. and Mexico’s livestock trade is still apprehensive if the outbreaks were to move to the north.
Also Read:Act Now: Bovine Diseases Are Undermining Colombia’s Dairy Sector
Lumpy Skin Disease Expands
The number of Lumpy Skin Disease outbreaks in the period from January 2024 to May 2025 increased to 2,838 in 37 countries.
- The disease was discovered for the first time in Algeria, Libya, Tunisia, and Japan.
- The cases also persisted in Cambodia and South Korea.
- Vaccination took up 80% of the infected zones and was the major method of control.
Moreover, the outbreaks turned out to be a very strong message for the need of intensifying the global veterinary surveillance and vaccine implementation strategies.
Financial and Trade Implications
The repercussions of these bovine disease outbreaks extend beyond the veterinary field—the supply and demand chain is affected. Trade interruptions, the implementation of export bans, and low production of milk and meat are the negative feedback pressures that exacerbate farmers’ burdens, especially in countries with weak animal health systems.
Industry experts stress that the costs of outbreaks far outweigh prevention budgets. As WOAH states, worldwide cooperation is indispensable to implement vaccination, animal tagging, and border surveillance activities for lowering future risks.
FAQ’s
What is Foot-and-Mouth Disease in cattle?
Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral infection that affects cattle and other cloven-hoofed animals. It spreads quickly and causes blisters, fever, and loss of appetite. FMD is serious because it reduces milk and meat production, weakens animals, and leads to trade restrictions for affected countries.
Why is Lumpy Skin Disease spreading so fast?
Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) spreads mainly through mosquitoes, flies, and ticks, which makes it difficult to control in warm climates. The disease causes skin nodules, fever, and loss of productivity.
What is the New World Screwworm and how does it affect cattle?
The New World Screwworm (NWS) is a parasitic fly that lays eggs in open wounds of cattle. The larvae feed on animal tissue, causing severe infections and even death if untreated. It was eradicated in North America decades ago but has re-emerged in parts of Central America, raising concerns about livestock trade and economic losses.
How to protect cattle from bovine diseases?
Farmers can reduce risks of bovine diseases by ensuring regular vaccinations, maintaining clean housing, controlling insects, and limiting animal movement during outbreaks. Early detection and reporting are crucial so that authorities can take action quickly.
How do bovine diseases affect milk and meat supply?
Bovine diseases reduce milk yields, weight gain, and overall animal health. In severe cases, infected animals may need to be culled, leading to a drop in supply of milk.
Can bovine diseases spread to humans?
Most bovine diseases like FMD, LSD, and NWS do not directly infect humans, but they can indirectly impact people by causing economic stress for farming communities.