Avian alert in Tratalias: numerous species of birds have been affected by "Newcastle disease", also known as avian pseudoplague. It is one of the most feared diseases that can affect birds, enough to trigger the emergency after the arrival of the analyzes carried out by the veterinary service of the ASL Sulcis on some bird carcasses found in the town before the start of the Christmas holidays. Experts have explained that it is a disease that can affect, as in this case, various species of birds, with the risk that it could also spread to other species of domestic birds and poultry. The infection, with high viral loads, can also affect humans through direct contact, causing conjunctivitis, a symptom that appears 24 hours after contact.
The alarm
The mayor of Tratalias Emanuele Pes, as soon as the first reports arrived to the local police from citizens regarding the discovery of some dead birds in the town, immediately contacted the Public Hygiene Office: «Promptly – he explained a few days ago – they were some bird carcasses were taken to carry out analyzes and in the meantime citizens were informed not to touch the dead birds at all and to continue to report their presence and position". Then we had to wait for the results of the analyses." Thus the holidays passed: «In recent days the municipal workers began to remove other carcasses with the utmost caution – says Pes – and now the bulletin has arrived with the results of the analyses: it has been established that the mortality of the birds has due to a pathology called “Newcastle disease”». Currently, the carcasses of 11 turtle doves and 14 starlings have been analysed: at present a fairly low viral load has been found and monitoring by the local health authority is continuing.
The analysis
«The disease is mainly transmitted to wild animals – continues the mayor – but in some cases it can also affect some species of domestic animals, in which case they should be reported immediately. I don't want to create alarmism because for now the situation is under control. Citizens will be constantly updated until the end of the emergency state that has been created." The origin of the strain is now being studied: «We don't know where it comes from. A similar event occurred years ago and only turtle doves and pigeons died". Therefore, I renew the absolute ban on touching the carcasses and the warning to keep your animals at a distance: "It is also necessary to prohibit children from approaching them. The disease, let us remember, can also bring negative consequences to humans if they come into direct contact with it." Meanwhile, two other carcasses have been reported in San Giovanni Suergiu: "We don't know if the cause of death could be the same - says Elvira Usai, mayor of the town - we promptly started the necessary checks". At the moment there are no reports in other neighboring municipalities.
Fabio Murru
