Serbia: Contagious Lumpy Skin Disease Hits Cattle in Serbia
On June 8, Serbia reported to the World Animal Health Organization (OIE) its first occurrence of lumpy skin disease in the country which was detected on June 4 by the Veterinary Institute Kraljevo on several small farms in South Serbia close to the border with Macedonia. On June 23th the European Commission donated 50,000 doses of lumpy skin disease vaccine for cattle in Serbia. On June 24, a vaccination program in the most vulnerable areas such as Surdulica, Bosilegrad and Bujanovac in the South Serbia was initiated. An additional 400,000 doses of vaccines against lumpy skin disease arrived in Serbia on June 27. According to the Serbian Veterinary Directorate, all live cattle in Serbia will be vaccinated. It is estimated that approximately 5,000-6,000 cows could become infected which would have to be culled. Thus, the minimum loss for the country would be approximately EUR 7-9 million.
