Cantabria extends and flexibilizes controls against contagious nodular dermatosis

The General Directorate of Livestock of the Ministry of Rural Development, Livestock, Fisheries and Food of the Government of Cantabria has extended the precautionary measures against contagious nodular dermatosis (CND) and has relaxed those restrictions that can already be considered controlled within the autonomous territory. The decision is published in the Official Gazette of Cantabria No. 200, of October 19, 2026 (reference CVE-2026-8084), effective as of November 1, 2026.

The resolution, signed in Santander on October 9, 2026, by the Director General of Livestock, Alfredo Álvarez Ruiz, is based on Regulation (EU) 2016/429, Royal Decree 638/2019, Royal Decree 779/2023, and Article 8 of Law 8/2003, of April 24, on Animal Health, and is issued under Article 71 of Cantabria Law 5/2018. The text replaces the Resolution of July 15, 2026, published in the BOC No. 146, of July 31, 2026, which is hereby void.

Twenty outbreaks in Spain and two French outbreaks

The document describes CND as an emerging viral disease, transmitted mainly by vectors, with a “notable capacity for diffusion” and severe effects on livestock. The epidemiological evolution in European Union countries near Spain and the detection of the disease on Spanish territory raised the risk level for Cantabria, “especially given the intense movement of livestock and the concentration of livestock farms” in the community.

Since the first outbreak detected in Girona in October 2025, 20 outbreaks have been reported in Spain: 18 in the province of Girona and 2 in the province of Huesca, where a new restriction zone was implemented. In Huesca, the Official Veterinary Services of Aragon confirmed an outbreak on February 28, 2026, within Vaccination Zone I, and a secondary outbreak on March 3, 2026, in the municipality of Fiscal, in the region of Boltaña.

To this are added the two outbreaks reported by the Official Veterinary Services of France on December 10, 2025, in the departments of Ariège and Hautes-Pyrénées, which until then were free of the disease and located outside the previously established restricted zone. The French services linked their origin to possible illegal movements of animals.

28-day quarantine with four exceptions

The central measure is a mandatory quarantine of a minimum of 28 calendar days for all animals of species sensitive to CND coming from farms outside Cantabria, regardless of the reason for the transfer and its origin and destination. The immobilization affects all animals in the epidemiological unit, which may not incorporate more specimens until the period ends.

The quarantine will not apply in four cases:

• If the destination is a slaughterhouse, bullrings, or bullfighting shows.
• If the destination is the Mercado Nacional de Ganados de Torrelavega (Torrelavega National Livestock Market) and concentration centers authorized for animals under one year of age.
• If the destination is commercial operators with holding pens for animals under one year of age.
• If the destination is a holding in Cantabria returning from transhumance without a change of ownership and undergoing official control within the following 72 hours of arrival.

In the cases of the market and operators with holding pens, if the animals are re-dispatched to Cantabrian production and reproduction holdings, they must likewise comply with the 28-day quarantine. During this period, they may be sent to a slaughterhouse.

Mandatory disinsectization of livestock trucks

In addition to the cleaning and disinfection required by Royal Decree 638/2019, the resolution mandates the disinsectization of all authorized vehicles entering or leaving with animals and those returning empty to Cantabria. If this cannot be done at the origin, it must be carried out within a maximum period of 24 hours after arrival.

Official Veterinary Services will monitor these conditions in incoming vehicles. Commercial operators with holding pens must maintain a cleaning and disinfection log for all trucks unloading at their facilities, and organizers of fairs, contests, and exhibitions regulated by Order MED/38/2017, of September 6, must guarantee and record these tasks.

Validity until December 31

The measures will remain in effect until December 31, 2026, and may be extended by express resolution based on epidemiological evolution. Non-compliance may be sanctioned in accordance with Law 8/2003 on Animal Health, without prejudice to other civil or criminal liabilities. An administrative appeal (recurso de alzada) may be filed against the resolution before the Counselor of Rural Development, Livestock, Fisheries, and Food within one month from the day following its publication.

The text acknowledges that no new outbreaks occurred in Spain during the period of maximum vector activity, but maintains surveillance to “prevent the entry” of the disease and “protect the Cantabrian bovine herd.”

The extension directly affects bovine holdings in Cantabria and operators moving livestock: anyone bringing animals from other communities must plan for 28 days of immobilization and certify the disinsectization of trucks starting November 1. The flexibility of circuits toward slaughterhouses, the Torrelavega market, and holding pens seeks to maintain commercial activity without opening the door to a disease that already totals twenty outbreaks in Spain.

Source: Official Gazette of Cantabria, No. 200, of October 19, 2026, Department of Rural Development, Livestock, Fisheries, and Food, pp. 53295-53297 (official reference: CVE-2026-8084).