A widespread death of doves in the territory of Lucignano, in the province of Arezzo, suggests the spread among wild birds of an avian pseudopest virus, the so-called Newcastle disease.
Following the tests on the turtle doves found dead in the Lucignano area (AR) by the Lazio and Tuscany Zooprophylactic Institute, an outbreak of avian pseudopeste, a viral disease also known as Newcastle disease, was found; the Institute has ascertained with certainty that the death of the turtle doves is attributable to this disease.
To make this known is the ASL 8 which is keen to point out that this type of viral disease can spread among both wild and domestic bird species but is absolutely not dangerous for humans. They also inform the ASL that the veterinary services of the ASL, the Province and the Municipality were immediately activated in order to prepare the appropriate health checks on the poultry farms in the area, recommending that the farmers be vaccinated for poultry and poultry. Furthermore, the Province of Arezzo is taking steps to adopt all possible measures for "the depopulation of infected turtle doves".
The avian pseudopest in the Arezzo area and in central Italy is generally not a new thing in fact, just last February in the area of Montespertoli, in the province of Florence, another outbreak of the disease was ascertained which led to the killing of dozens of chickens and pigeons.
The director of the Animal Health Unit of Asl 8, Ettore Barneschi, explained “It should be immediately clarified that this disease, typical of poultry, does not cause any concern for humans. The disease is not comparable to avian flu as it is not transmissible to humans".
Going on, Barneschi states, "At the moment, investigations are underway in all rural farms. We are checking that there are no infected animals, then asking breeders to keep birds protected in cages to avoid contact with wild birds ”.
Finally Barneschi appeals to breeders, "We recommend to breeders to provide due vaccination of poultry and poultry animals in general with a specific therapy".