Blue tongue, in northern Sardinia also serotype 8: «Movement of animals only after visits and tests»

Bluetongue serotype 8 makes its appearance in northern Sardinia . At the moment there are both serotypes 4 and 8 in circulation and the Region has already given instructions to the Zooprophylactic Institute to proceed with the purchase of the vaccines .

The point was made by the local crisis unit meeting in Olbia.

«The new serotype 8, which most likely arrived in Sardinia from the south-east of France and Corsica, was found in the first outbreaks in Palau, Ittiri and Romana» underlines the director of the Veterinary Area Prevention Department in the Northern area, Francesco Sgarangella. «Our services are at work - he continues - to follow up on the regional provision released yesterday which intensifies surveillance actions and which is aimed at verifying the spread of the virus . There will also be a regulation of the movement of garments which can only take place following clinical visits, the use of insect-repellent products and specific tests".

The recommendation to breeders is to use both insect repellent products to protect the animals and to respect zootechnical hygiene standards .

«The problem of vector insects that transmit pathogens to humans and animals arises again - adds Sgarangella - and it would therefore be necessary to activate an integrated project to combat vector insects in both larval and adult form. An extraordinary round table would be needed to bring together public bodies, provinces, regional agencies, reclamation consortia and private individuals and develop a plan that respects the principles of One Health on human, animal and environmental health, which allows us to combat time the viruses that we are currently forced to chase."

«The symptoms are quite important in sheep – adds Sgarangella – but the problem should not be underestimated even in cattle . The proliferation of the vector insect was favored by weather and climate conditions, as we had already predicted a few weeks ago by informing farmers through the SMS Alert system and inviting them to adopt direct prophylactic measures against vector insects".

(Unioneonline/vl)