Veterinary Public Health Activities and Management of the Livestock Sector during Earthquakes and Snowstorms in the Abruzzo Region-Italy, January 2017.

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.