Veterinary Public Health Activities and Management of the Livestock Sector during Earthquakes and Snowstorms in the Abruzzo Region-Italy, January 2017.
Abstract: In 2017 the Abruzzo region, located in central Italy, was struck by a sequence of four moderately powerful seismic events (5.0 magnitude on Richter scale), in addition to heavy snowfall that caused a state of emergency affecting the resident population and farm animals. A total of 282 stables were reported to have collapsed or been damaged and several animals (224 cows, 4025 ewes, 40,725 chickens, 22 horses and 3092 pigs) were killed. The Istituto Zooprofilattico of Abruzzo and Molise "G. Caporale" (IZSAM)-National Reference Center for Veterinary Urban Hygiene and Non-Epidemic Emergencies (IUVENE), played a crucial role in planning, coordinating and controlling veterinary activities during these catastrophic events. Operational and information tools were used to manage the needs of the communities involved, as well as to prioritize the veterinary interventions, record information, provide real-time data access, and produce reporting maps and Geographic Information System (GIS) layers. These events have highlighted how the integration of veterinary services into disaster management efforts can play an important role in protecting the health and welfare of animals, whilst also restoring economic activity and community life.
Publication Date: 2018-11-21 PubMed ID: 30469431PubMed Central: PMC6262445DOI: 10.3390/ani8110218Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research paper provides a detailed study on how veterinary public health activities were managed during earthquake and snowstorm events in the Abruzzo region of Italy in 2017. It highlights the tools and strategies employed by the Istituto Zooprofilattico of Abruzzo and Molise (IZSAM)-National Reference Center for Veterinary Urban Hygiene and Non-Epidemic Emergencies (IUVENE) and illustrates the significance of integrating veterinary services into disaster management plans.
Description of Events and Damage
- The paper begins by outlining the unfortunate natural disasters that struck the Abruzzo region in 2017. Four seismic events, all with a magnitude of 5.0 according to the Richter scale, along with heavy snowfall, caused a state of emergency in the region.
- During these natural calamities, significant structural and non-structural damage occurred, affecting both the resident population and farm animals. The events led to the collapse or damage of 282 stables and the loss of a large number of farm animals.
Role of the IZSAM-IUVENE
- The IZSAM-IUVENE played a crucial role in managing veterinary activities during these disastrous events. Their strategies and roles were essential in ensuring the welfare of the surviving animals and reinstating the functionality of the local farming sector.
- Fulfilling their responsibility, these organizations coordinated, planned and controlled all veterinary activities, ensuring affected animals received appropriate care and attention. Their function also included managing and addressing the needs of the entire community affected by the disaster.
Use of Operational and Information Tools
- The organization made use of various operational and information tools to manage this crisis. They prioritized veterinary interventions based on urgency, recorded crucial information, and provided access to real-time data that was essential in dealing with the aftermath.
- Additionally, they generated reporting maps and Geographic Information System (GIS) layers. This comprehensive graphical representation assisted in effective planning and response during the recovery phase. These maps provided precise location-based data that was crucial in locating affected animals and assessing the extent of damage.
Significance of Veterinary Services in Disaster Management
- The paper emphasizes the importance of integrating veterinary services into overall disaster management efforts. Animals are a crucial part of rural and farming communities, and their welfare during disasters plays a significant role in restoring economic activity and community life.
- This report implies that comprehensive planning and management strategies including veterinary services can minimize the losses incurred during natural disasters. It calls for attention towards this often neglected aspect of disaster management.
Cite This Article
APA
(2018).
Veterinary Public Health Activities and Management of the Livestock Sector during Earthquakes and Snowstorms in the Abruzzo Region-Italy, January 2017.
Animals (Basel), 8(11), 218.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani8110218 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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This article includes 9 references
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Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Bolcato M, Roccaro M, Gentile A, Peli A. First Report on Medical Treatment and Outcome of Burnt Cattle. Vet Sci 2023 Mar 1;10(3).
- Squance H, MacDonald C, Stewart C, Prasanna R, Johnston DM. Strategies for Implementing a One Welfare Framework into Emergency Management. Animals (Basel) 2021 Nov 3;11(11).
- Si R, Zhang X, Yao Y, Liu L, Lu Q. Influence of contract commitment system in reducing information asymmetry, and prevention and control of livestock epidemics: Evidence from pig farmers in China. One Health 2021 Dec;13:100302.
- Saxmose Nielsen S, Alvarez J, Bicout DJ, Calistri P, Depner K, Drewe JA, Garin-Bastuji B, Gonzales Rojas JL, Gortázar Schmidt C, Michel V, Miranda Chueca MÁ, Roberts HC, Sihvonen LH, Spoolder H, Stahl K, Viltrop A, Winckler C, Candiani D, Fabris C, Van der Stede Y, Velarde A. Welfare of pigs during killing for purposes other than slaughter. EFSA J 2020 Jul;18(7):e06195.
- Possenti L, Savini L, Conte A, D'Alterio N, Danzetta ML, Di Lorenzo A, Nardoia M, Migliaccio P, Tora S, Dalla Villa P. A New Information System for the Management of Non-Epidemic Veterinary Emergencies. Animals (Basel) 2020 Jun 5;10(6).
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