Nineteen outbreaks, the latest confirmed today in Padru, have resulted in 164 animals dead (of which 142 were culled). The spread of lumpy skin disease among Sardinian cattle continues. But there is some good news: 300,000 vaccines intended to combat the epidemic have arrived at Milan customs from South Africa.
Health Councillor Armando Bartolazzi made the announcement during a hearing at the Fifth and Sixth Committees, which met with trade associations in the Regional Council to consult with the regional government's officials and form a united front. Antonio Solinas, president of the Fifth Committee, began by saying, "This is a working group. We want to reach Sardinian citizens and farmers as much as possible, through trade organizations, and provide all the information with full transparency."
For Bartolazzi, "this infectious disease requires codified actions to be addressed, as we have done since the first case was identified on June 19th. The impact on Sardinia is significant , but we must do everything we can to prevent the restriction on cattle movement from dragging on for years, and for this reason, the collaboration of trade organizations is needed." The councilor then noted that "Lombardy has already begun culling cattle, and it has been confirmed that the Mantua outbreak originated from a cow arriving from the Nuoro area. Other cases of bovine dermatitis have been confirmed in Haute-Savoie. Therefore, this epidemic is taking on a European dimension. With the vaccines, cattle will experience a reduction in milk production for four months, but the other side effects should not be so significant."
Daniela Mulas, director of the regional public health service, then spoke, providing the latest data: "There are 19 outbreaks in Sardinia, including the one identified today in Padru. We will have to cull all the animals present in the outbreak, to protect the cattle population and in compliance with European Union requirements. Starting tomorrow, Ares will outsource the disposal of the carcasses to companies to avoid burial. Transport will cost approximately €800 per animal. Vaccinations will begin next week, reasonably starting Monday or Tuesday. We ask for the cooperation of all farmers and their representatives, because only in the best-case scenario will the epidemic be declared over in 14 months."
Councilor Gianfranco Satta (Agriculture) asked the national government for adequate resources to compensate businesses, but in the meantime, the Council today approved €5 million for compensation, €2 million for carcass disposal, and €1.5 million to strengthen the veterinary service. Good news comes from the Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute: Simonetta Cherchi reports that the IZS is ensuring diagnosis within 24 hours.
Battista Cualbu, leader of Coldiretti, was the first to speak for the trade organizations: "We strongly supported this meeting to clarify matters. We want to understand the Region's strategy, and how long it will take to implement and complete the vaccination campaign, given that there are very few veterinarians in Sardinia. We need maximum transparency to allow our farmers to work and resume sales, in a sector that was showing excellent signs."
For Carla Fundoni, chair of the Health Committee, "the management of lumpy skin disease is a health and livestock priority for Sardinia. Faced with this emergency, it is essential to implement a timely, coordinated, and scientifically sound control strategy , which includes strengthening epidemiological surveillance and adopting the appropriate interventions aimed at containing the spread of the disease."
Councilor Piero Maieli (FI) said, "The Region has wasted 25 days. In Lombardy, the epidemic was nipped in the bud, and we're still here deciding when, unfortunately, to begin the culling. As a veterinarian, my heart aches because this is the failure of my profession, but we're dealing with a bovine COVID-19 outbreak , and there's no other solution. However, I ask for maximum support for farmers, who must be compensated immediately."
(Unioneonline/E.Fr.)
