Establishment of the infected area, clinical and entomological surveillance throughout the region and the blocking of the movement of cattle, sheep and goats, horses and pigs outside Sardinia . At least for ten days. These are the measures adopted by the Central Crisis Unit convened by the General Directorate of Animal Health of the Ministry of Health, following the outbreak of contagious nodular dermatitis (Lumpy skin disease) identified on June 21 in a farm in the province of Nuoro .

The Crisis Unit, together with the Region and local authorities, has carried out the epidemiological analysis and defined the strategy "to best address the emergency", according to a note.

"We acted immediately," said the regional health councilor, Armando Bartolazzi. He added: " It is important to emphasize that the disease does not derive from the importation of animals into Sardinia but was most likely caused by the bite of a tick." For this reason, careful monitoring is underway, during which the possible presence of other outbreaks in the territory is being checked.

In addition to the restrictions, "we are evaluating the procurement of a vaccine" for which one million and 600 thousand euros have been allocated. But the method for acquisition has yet to be identified.

The discovery

The ASL of Nuoro, in coordination with the Ministry of Health, had immediately arranged all the measures required by law for the management of the outbreak, including the establishment of protection and surveillance zones for a total of 50 kilometers around the outbreak.

The disease

"It is an infectious and contagious disease of ruminants, which does not affect humans," explains the ministry in a note, "already present in some European countries, which causes feverish and skin manifestations with significant economic repercussions on livestock farming."

(Online Union)

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