A new outbreak of contagious nodular dermatosis has been detected in Alt Empordà.

BarcelonaThe Catalan government's Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Food has confirmed a new outbreak of contagious nodular dermatosis (CND) in unvaccinated pasture-raised cattle on a farm in Capmany, in the Alt Empordà region. In a statement released this Wednesday, the department explained that the farm had only received partial vaccinations, which "reinforces the crucial importance of vaccination" in controlling the disease. The farm has an extensive herd of approximately 106 animals, and four animals have been confirmed in the laboratory to be infected with the field strain of the virus and to be exhibiting clinical symptoms, according to sources in the livestock sector. Following the detection of these new cases, the health protocol has been activated, which includes the culling of the affected animals and the establishment of a 20-kilometer protection zone and a 30-kilometer surveillance zone. Furthermore, animals on farms in the affected area have been quarantined, and the restrictions will last 45 days after the last slaughter. The department has assured that 100% of the animals in the districts affected by the outbreak protection zones are vaccinated, and that in the other districts where vaccination has been authorized, the figure is 80%. It also indicated that the deadline for vaccination is January 31st, and that from that day forward, no movement of unvaccinated animals will be permitted.

Restrictions in the affected municipalities

The new outbreak affects 165 municipalities that were already under restrictions because they fell within the affected areas of the Castelló d'Empúries outbreak or those detected in France. In total, 180 municipalities are affected by the restrictions, 22 of which will be released on January 9th, while 158 towns that should have been released on Friday are now affected by the new outbreak. Furthermore, 124 municipalities affected by the new outbreak were already under restrictions due to the outbreaks in France, another 33 are affected by the new outbreak in Capmany, and one by the outbreak in France. The lifting of restrictions allows the movement of live animals and products, in addition to the gradual resumption of normal livestock farming activities, including the entry of animals.