France will vaccinate 1 million cattle against nodular dermatosis, while farmers protest against the culling of infected animals.

The Minister of Agriculture of France, Annie Genevard, announced that the country will vaccinate 1 million head of cattle in the coming weeks against nodular dermatitis, an extremely contagious disease that affects cattle. This decision comes in the context of farmer protests, who have blocked highways and thrown manure in front of public institutions, contesting the measures for culling infected animals.

Nodular dermatitis, caused by a virus transmitted by insects, does not affect humans, but can cause severe economic losses through trade restrictions. Genevard emphasized that the state will compensate the losses of affected farmers. She also mentioned that, in order to limit the spread of the disease, culling infected animals is essential, considering that the disease can be asymptomatic. So far, France has reported 110 outbreaks and has culled approximately 3,000 animals.