Potential lumpy skin disease outbreak outside current infection area ruled negative

The potential outbreak of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in Osona, central Catalonia, which initially sparked significant concern, has been ruled negative.

The Department of Agriculture had initially restricted animal movements within a 50 km radius of the farm where the suspected cases were reported.

The measure was taken as a precaution, as the case had not yet been confirmed. Had it been confirmed, it would have been the first outside the Girona region.

Despite this, the government has decided to maintain the movement restrictions for now as a precaution.

The suspected outbreak at the Osona farm was discussed on Thursday at a meeting between the Department of Agriculture and livestock representatives in Alcarràs, western Catalonia.

Currently, 80% of cattle affected by the Castelló d'Empúries LSD outbreak have been vaccinated. This figure includes farms located within the safety radius of the outbreak.

Farmers concerned about restrictions

Farmers are concerned about the movement restrictions.

Any movement of livestock within this 50km radius must be priorly reported to the department, a measure that, according to farmers, makes the day-to-day life of many farms difficult.

"There is a lot of extensive livestock farming and dairy farming in the region. Everything is slower and more burdensome for the farmer," explains Toni Bascompte, coordinator of the Farmers' Union in Berguedà.

In Osona, Jaume Prat of the Gremi de la Pagesia admits that his colleagues are nervous. "We are waiting for what may happen, but we prefer not to get ahead of ourselves until the case is confirmed," he says.

Prat also pointed out that some false positives have been reported in recent days, which calls for caution while waiting for the official results, he said.

Vaccines

The Department of Agriculture has reported that 80% of cattle and 51% of farms in the first radius have already received the vaccine against Lumpy Skin Disease.

In this area covered, there are about 93,000 cows and about 800 farms.

According to EU regulations, in order to stop health gaps, 75% of animals and 95% of farms must be vaccinated, and 21 days must pass since the vaccine injection.

In total, 110,000 doses have been administered, which means an average of 7,333 daily vaccines.

Currently, there are 17 outbreaks detected that have forced the slaughter of a total of 2,495 cattle.