Aragon detects its first case of nodular dermatosis on a farm in Huesca
The presence of the virus was confirmed by the National Reference Laboratory in Algete (Madrid). Following this confirmation, the authorities have activated the established health protocol, which includes the sanitary depopulation of the affected farm—that is, the culling of all animals-in accordance with European animal health regulations.
At the same time, restricted zones have been established around the outbreak area with radium of 20 and 30 kilometers, creating a protection zone around the farm and a wider surveillance zone. Within these areas, restrictions will be placed on animal movement, intensive veterinary controls will be implemented, and biosecurity measures will be reinforced to prevent the potential spread of the disease.
The Director General of Food Quality and Safety for the Government of Aragon, Aitziber Lanza, has stated that the regional government is confident it can control the outbreak. As she explained in statements made in Boltaña (Huesca), the farms in the surrounding area had already been vaccinated, since the zone had been previously immunized as a preventative measure to create a buffer zone against the disease.
In this regard, he highlighted that vaccination coverage around the affected area has reached approximately 85%, and that the process is expected to be completed shortly, thanks to the ongoing work of veterinarians, both public and private.
Lanza indicated that the epidemiological situation will be crucial in determining whether the outbreak is contained, although he expressed confidence that the disease will remain limited to this area. He also explained that the affected animals were born and raised on the farm and had been there for more than two months, so an epidemiological investigation has been launched to try to determine the origin of the virus, which is currently unknown.
In addition to the culling of the affected farm, samples are being taken from farms located within a radius of up to 20 kilometers and from any farms exhibiting health problems consistent with the disease. Authorities will decide on the measures to be implemented based on the results obtained.
Until now, outbreaks detected in Spain had only been recorded in Catalonia. In Aragon, two vaccination campaigns had been carried out , achieving nearly 80% immunization in several areas bordering Catalonia—Castejón de Sos, Graus, and Tamarite de Litera—and in Pyrenean areas near France, such as Sabiñánigo, Jaca, and Boltaña. However, the municipality where this outbreak was detected had not yet completed its vaccination program .
The Government of Aragon reminds everyone that contagious nodular dermatosis poses no risk to people, neither through contact with animals nor through the consumption of meat or milk.
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