The Spanish authorities have confirmed an outbreak of the epizootic haemorrhagic disease in cattle, in the Badajoz area, placing part of the Portuguese territory under restriction measures, the General Directorate of Food and Veterinary Medicine (DGAV) announced on Tuesday.
“Following the confirmation of an outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease in cattle in Villanueva del Fresno, Badajoz, we were informed by the competent authority of Spain that part of the national territory is covered by measures to restrict movement between Member States of the European Union “, reads a note released by the DGAV.
This disease affects ruminants, particularly cattle and wild deer, and the main symptoms are fever and loss of appetite, oral mucosa lesions, excessive saliva production and difficulty swallowing.
The affected area includes a radius of 150 kilometers around the outbreak, restricting the movement of animals from farms located in these same areas to another Member State.
According to a DGAV announcement, the affected area will cover, in Portugal, some municipalities of Castelo Branco, Santarém, Setúbal, Portalegre, Évora, Beja and Faro.
At the national level, the hygiene measures of the premises must be reinforced and any suspicion of contagion communicated to the DGAV.
Regarding the requirements for the national movement of cattle, sheep and goats from farms located in the affected area, the DGAV stressed that the animals cannot present any suspicion of disease and those of “species susceptible to being transferred for life” must be subject to insecticide treatment up to 14 days prior to move-in.
Transport should preferably take place in the “central hours of the day or night”, and animals should be transported in insect-free vehicles prior to loading.
Carriers must also have a document that certifies the washing, disinfection and insect control of the vehicles.
Source: TSF
