New Outbreak of Contagious Nodular Dermatitis in Occitanie Spurs Vaccination Push Amid Waning Protests

The outbreak of contagious nodular dermatitis (DNC) in France has seen new developments with the detection of a fresh case in the Pyrénées-Orientales, part of the Occitanie region. This new incident brings the total number of cases in the country to 114 since the disease appeared in June, and marks the 22nd case in that particular department, indicating ongoing viral circulation in the area.

In response to this resurgence, the French government has announced plans to accelerate vaccination efforts, aiming to administer 750,000 doses throughout the Pyrenees. Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne pledged in a letter to agricultural unions a commitment to complete this vaccination drive within a month following recent meetings with key stakeholders including the Confédération paysanne and Coordination rurale.

Parallel to these efforts, the intensity of farmer mobilizations against disease protocols has declined with several strategic blockades dismantled after more than ten days of protests. Nonetheless, some groups have not ceased their actions entirely.

A scientific committee focused on DNC met on December 22 to evaluate the current containment protocols. This meeting aimed to explore measures to prevent the total culling of herds, a scenario feared by many farmers and public health officials alike.

The ongoing situation highlights both the persistence of DNC in multiple regions and the balancing act between safeguarding livestock health and addressing farmers’ concerns. Vaccination and expert evaluations remain central to controlling the outbreak as France braces for potential new cases in the coming weeks.