Infections of lumpy skin disease have been confirmed among dairy cattle in Fukuoka Prefecture, western Japan, for the first time in the country.

The prefecture says the viral disease has been detected at eight farms in Itoshima City since November 6.

The prefecture said on Monday it will provide free-of-charge and compulsory vaccination to cattle raised within a 20-kilometers radius of the eight farms from Thursday through the end of March.

The symptoms of the disease include lumps and swelling on the skin, fever and a decrease in milk production. The virus is carried by mosquitos, flies and other blood-feeding insects. The infection has been spreading in Asia since 2019.

Prefectural officials say lumpy skin disease does not infect humans or affect people's health even if they eat the meat of vaccinated cattle or drink their milk.

They are calling for the isolation of cattle suspected of being infected with the virus and refraining from shipping them. They are also urging farmers to take thorough hygiene control measures.