Russia Imposes Cattle Quarantine Near Moscow After Lumpy Skin Disease Outbreak
Authorities in the Moscow region have introduced a quarantine in several towns about 25 kilometers from the capital after lumpy skin disease was found in cattle. The disease does not affect humans but harms livestock and dairy production.
Authorities in the Moscow region announced on Wednesday that a quarantine has been introduced in several towns and villages located roughly 25 kilometers from Moscow, following the detection of lumpy skin disease in local cattle herds. The announcement appeared in a document published on the regional government's website.
Lumpy skin disease is a viral illness transmitted mainly by biting insects. Infected cattle develop fever and painful lumps on their skin, become weakened, and produce less milk. The disease poses no risk to human health.
Restrictions in the quarantined area
Under the regional order, transporting cattle, cattle-derived products such as milk, and animal feed into or out of the affected zone is now prohibited. Agricultural fairs within the quarantine zone have also been banned.
Second outbreak in Siberia
Earlier this week, authorities in the Irkutsk region near Lake Baikal in Siberia introduced a similar quarantine in two settlements, where infected animals are to be culled. Lumpy skin disease is common in North Africa and was reported in several European countries last year, including France, where a cull of infected cows triggered protests from farming unions.
The outbreak follows a separate cattle disease crisis in Siberia this spring, officially attributed to pasteurellosis or rabies, which led to mass culling of livestock and rare protests among local farmers.
