Forty-one confirmed active outbreaks and fifteen suspected ones, hundreds of infected animals and, so far, a few dozen deaths. This according to official data from the Zooprophylactic Institute of Sardinia. But the numbers of the wave of blue tongues on the island are destined to rise: the new epidemic worries the shepherds.
From the sheepfolds, from north to south, reports of sheep affected by the virus are multiplying. The testimonies speak of a virulence greater than in the past. But it could be the impressions of those who see their livestock, therefore their source of livelihood, succumb from one day to the next.
To understand, it is necessary to wait for the results of the tests on the samples taken by the local health authority veterinarians, who are working at full capacity in the island's countryside these days. The first reports came from Baronia, then the alert moved to Ogliastra. With infections that are now also appearing in Southern Sardinia, in the Iglesiente and in the Middle Campidano.
Salvatore Tidu is originally from Sedilo. For some years he has been managing a company in the Guspini countryside. From him the blue tongue has caused a massacre: «In our territory the sheep continue to die by the dozens and everything is silent. We are abandoned by everyone", he accuses, "years and years of sacrifices, genetics, money and hard work to see our capital quickly go up in smoke . Poor us, we are now in shambles", he writes on social media.
The numbers will rise after the results of the analyses. And when will the animals that have become infected in recent days emerge: the incubation period of the blue tongue is about two weeks. Meanwhile, shepherds hope that temperatures will continue to drop: the weather could be an ally of the vaccine.
