The Consell has given the green light to the declaration of emergency to carry out health actions for prevention and control against Newcastle disease in poultry farms in the Valencian Community. These measures were activated after a positive case was confirmed on March 6 in the municipality of Terrateig (Valencia).
The budget planned for these interventions amounts to 1,963,345 euros and will be developed over a maximum period of three months, with the objective of carrying out all actions in "the shortest possible time" and thus prevent or repair the damage already caused, according to the Generalitat in a statement.
To prevent the disease from spreading to other nearby farms, an "agile, rapid, and effective" response is considered essential, which includes the depopulation of affected farms and the destruction or burial of the sacrificed birds, as well as feed and other potentially contaminated materials that could transmit the virus. These actions are complemented by the disinfection of facilities, equipment, and transport vehicles that may have been in contact with the outbreak.
The plan contemplates the sacrifice of animals on livestock farms where positives have been detected, "complying at all times" with animal welfare regulations, the hiring of crews for their collection, the carrying out of a geological study of the appropriate area and the excavation of pits for the burial of dead animals, feed and other potentially contaminating materials, as well as the clothing, material and equipment used during the sacrifice.
Likewise, the purchase and application of disinfectant products on farms, the implementation of other measures on farms epidemiologically linked to confirmed outbreaks, and the carrying out of biosecurity surveys on poultry farms are foreseen, as detailed by the Consell.