Latinoamérica
Europa
Emerging diseases and their control, a future challenge that is already present
 African swine fever, avian influenza, Newcastle disease, contagious nodular dermatitis, or serotype 3 of bluetongue are just some of the examples we must consider based on recent events. |
Each with its particularities, these are infections that disrupt our lives, generating a health and economic impact with unpredictable consequences.
Logically, more attention is always paid to those diseases that can affect humans, but fortunately, most of those mentioned are not zoonoses.
Among the risk factors for Spain when experiencing episodes of these emerging diseases, we must consider geographical aspects, such as the proximity to the African continent or its role as a passage area for migratory birds, in the case of avian diseases.
Obviously, in both cases, they are difficult to control and little can be done.
Something similar happens with the presence of vectors such as Aedes spp. or Culex spp. which, once in our territory, are impossible to eradicate. Against them, only control strategies can be applied to limit the risk of exposure.
Developing 
A priority objective is to try to prevent the diseases from spreading much beyond where the first cases were located. When this is achieved, it is very encouraging news for the work against these infections and others that have already arrived or will arrive.
This has been possible thanks to the use of 
Its proximity to the Pyrenees and the enormous concentration of animals in some areas of Catalonia or Aragon makes us very cautious regarding the evolution of this epidemiological situation, especially when in the coming months the reactivation of vector activity is likely.
Although they do not come from the affected areas and their restriction areas, their proximity and the apparent lack of control of the infection forces us to be cautious about what may happen in the first half of the year.
It is evident that the arrival of this infection would mark a before and after due to its enormous health, economic, and commercial implications.
We hope that the situation can continue to be kept under control, although with these infections, we must never lose sight of everything that is happening.
Not only affecting sheep, but also cattle and, surprisingly, goats to a large extent.
In the months of July or August, various goat farms have suffered very severe episodes of mortality in goat kids, sometimes exceeding mortality rates of over 70% of the kidding season, frequently recording abortions and other reproductive problems.
Time and the coming months will tell us if we have been successful in prevention.
Also included in the EU List A, this infection continues to roam various areas of Europe, with Greece being one of its hotspots.
Fortunately, it has never appeared in Spain and the absence of vectors associated with its transmission allows us to be optimistic about its possible eradication in the European continent.
The infection requires direct contact with the secretions of infected animals, so 
We must be aware of the situation, the existing risk, and the need to always be vigilant against any risky practice or suspicion that any of these agents may appear in our territory.
