There are currently three active outbreaks . The culling plans required by health protocols are already operational, and restrictions on the movement of livestock have been implemented: a two-week ban on movement outside the island, a ban on areas within 20 kilometers, and further restrictions up to 50 kilometers .

Governor Alessandra Todde , who also holds the interim position of Health Department, explained this in the regional council, on the sidelines of the Joint Health and Productive Activities Commission convened to take stock of the situation regarding lumpy bovine eczema .

"The interdepartmental steering committee involving health, agriculture, and the environment is operational, coordinating activities and liaising with the Ministry of Health," Todde added. "On the prevention front, the Region is ready to restart the vaccination campaign, already planned considering the annual duration of the coverage . At the same time," he added, "investigations are underway to determine the causes of the virus's spread . Lumpy skin disease, classified as a Category A disease, requires rigorous control measures and is also linked to the presence of insect vectors; for this reason, joint actions have also been initiated with the Department of the Environment, in preparation for the summer season."

Meanwhile, while Regional Agriculture Councilor Francesco Agus has announced the allocation of €13 million "to strengthen interventions for affected farms," companies in the sector are raising a new alarm. "Regarding the management strategies for the new outbreak of the disease, recorded in the Sarrabus area, the intervention methods still need to be understood and defined ," said Confagricoltura Sardegna President Stefano Taras , on the sidelines of the Green Table convened today in Cagliari by Councilor Agus.

Taras, highlighting the absence of representatives from the Department of Health and Veterinary Services at the meeting , explained: "We expressed to the councilor our full willingness to explore and discuss with the regional healthcare system the action plan needed to contain the disease and the essential plan to ensure adequate information for the thousands of cattle farmers on our island. This information must provide answers to the over 96% of farms that have fully participated and collaborated in implementing the vaccination program ordered by the Region last summer, and to whom it is currently difficult to explain the application of drastic disease control measures."

"The epidemiological resurgence of recent days, if not properly managed, could render the many sacrifices made to date ineffective . The idea of once again blocking animal movements in Sardinia and overseas, as in 2025, would be a situation capable of jeopardizing the entire island's beef cattle production system," Taras emphasized. "That's why we've asked Councilor Agus to provide constant updates , starting with an urgent meeting with the Department of Health, and above all to develop them in close collaboration with the entire local veterinary system."

(Unioneonline)

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