Bovine dermatitis: Local health authorities await vaccines; it's a race against time.

It was a weekend of marathon meetings at the veterinary services offices of Sardinia's local health authorities.

Two intense days (including several meetings today) to finalize the regional vaccination schedule, define the protocols for supporting freelance veterinarians, and prepare projects with additional service hours. The race is on to be ready for the launch of the widespread bovine dermatitis prophylaxis campaign, but since the vaccine doses (300,000 for use on the island) are not yet available to the health authorities, the campaign is expected to begin midweek.

Meanwhile, the number of outbreaks has risen to 28, the last two confirmed Thursday on two farms in the Orotelli countryside , the heart of the red zone—along with Orani (where the first confirmed case of bovine dermatitis occurred on June 21), Oniferi, and Sarule. The virus has also reached (one outbreak each) Bottidda, Benetutti, Nuoro, and Padru, on the outskirts of Gallura.

In Padru itself, the culling of the animals was scheduled yesterday (a procedure required to declare the outbreak extinct), but the operators of the company contracted with Ares had to backtrack: the operation was suspended due to the arrival of a formal warning.