Epizootic haemorrhagic disease (EHD) has been reported for the first time in Europe. Three outbreaks of EHD have been reported by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), all of which occurred on cattle farms with between 16 and 30 cattle in southern Sardinia, Italy.

The first case of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) in Europe was detected in November 2022. Since then, it has become a threat to cattle ranchers like Marcelo Mozo in Zamora (northwest Spain). This virus spreads via an insect that is not common in Spain.

Confirmation of novel Orbivirus incursion into the EU sustained by EHDV-8 was predictable, considering the distribution of this virus in Tunisia and likely in neighboring countries (8). On November 18, 2022, EHD was also reported in the Andalusia region of Spain, in the cities of Cadiz and Seville.

Following the initial report of the emergence of Epizootic Haemorrhagic Disease (EHD) in Europe with outbreaks in cattle in Sardinia and Sicily, 2 outbreaks have now been confirmed for the first time on cattle farms in southern Spain. One farm had 1,098 cattle and is located in Seville and the second farm had 139 cattle and is located in Cádiz.