The vaccination campaign against lumpy skin disease also began last Monday in the province of Oristano. Coordinated by the Animal Health Service of the Local Health Authority (ASL 5), headed by Dr. Enrico Vacca, with the support of other Local Health Authority veterinary services, approximately 40 veterinary vaccinators are involved. The first week's figures show approximately 5,000 head of cattle vaccinated, spread across 40 farms. The campaign began in the municipalities of Arborea, Santu Lussurgiu, Cuglieri, and Ghilarza, and is currently working intensively to immunize the more than 60,000 cattle in the province of Oristano as quickly as possible.
"The vaccine," explains Dr. Vacca, "is the main defense against lumpy skin disease, along with disinfestation and movement restrictions. Twenty-one days after vaccination, the animal is immunized and can be moved after 28 days . To date, we have not recorded any cases of infection in the province of Oristano: therefore, being able to vaccinate as quickly as possible means protecting the entire cattle herd and ensuring our region remains free from the disease."
"So far," says Dr. Anna Paola Corda, a veterinarian at the Animal Health Service, " we haven't seen any side effects on vaccinated animals . We're seeing an excellent response from farmers, who have fully understood how crucial vaccination is to preventing the disease."
The Animal Health Service is carrying out awareness-raising work in the area. "We are organizing and participating in a series of meetings throughout the area, with the support of professional organizations, specifically aimed at explaining to farmers the benefits of vaccination : accurate information helps clarify doubts and allay any fears and resistance regarding this topic," she concludes.
(Unioneonline)
