Veterinary Public Health Activities and Management of the Livestock Sector during Earthquakes and Snowstorms in the Abruzzo Region-Italy, January 2017.
Authors: Migliaccio Paolo, Nardoia Maria, Possenti Luigi, Dalla Villa Paolo
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary When earthquakes (magnitude 5.0) and severe snowstorms struck the Abruzzo region of central Italy in January 2017, the event exposed critical gaps in livestock emergency response—282 farm buildings collapsed and over 70,000 animals perished, including substantial numbers of cattle, sheep, poultry, horses and pigs across the affected region. The Italian National Reference Center for Veterinary Urban Hygiene and Non-Epidemic Emergencies (IZSAM) implemented a coordinated response utilising operational tools, Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping, and real-time data collection to prioritise veterinary interventions, allocate resources effectively, and document losses across multiple livestock sectors. Their systematic approach demonstrated that integrating veterinary services into formal disaster management protocols—rather than treating animal welfare as secondary to human relief efforts—simultaneously protects herd health, minimises disease transmission risks in stressed populations, accelerates economic recovery, and maintains community resilience during the critical post-disaster period. For equine professionals working in regions vulnerable to seismic activity or severe weather, this experience underscores the importance of pre-disaster planning, liaison with local veterinary authorities, and establishing clear communication channels to ensure horses receive priority care when infrastructure fails. The integration of GIS technology and real-time reporting systems proves particularly valuable for locating displaced animals, identifying welfare emergencies, and coordinating multi-disciplinary responses across large affected areas.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Veterinary professionals must be integrated into emergency management planning for natural disasters to coordinate animal welfare response and minimize losses
- •Real-time data collection and geographic information systems are critical tools for rapidly assessing animal casualties, prioritizing interventions, and allocating veterinary resources during catastrophic events
- •Formal protocols and pre-established coordination mechanisms between veterinary institutes and emergency management agencies can significantly improve outcomes for livestock and community recovery
Key Findings
- •282 stables collapsed or were damaged during the 2017 Abruzzo earthquakes and snowstorms
- •82,168 animals were killed across multiple species (224 cows, 4,025 ewes, 40,725 chickens, 22 horses, 3,092 pigs)
- •Integration of veterinary services (IZSAM-IUVENE) into disaster management coordination was essential for response and recovery
- •Use of operational tools including GIS mapping and real-time data access improved veterinary intervention prioritization and community support