Caserta – Brucellosis in sharp retreat in Campania: the number of HIV-positive buffalo heads slaughtered in 2025 fell to 1.636, marking a 74% reduction compared to the peak in 2020, when 10.863 animals were slaughtered.
This is certified by the data updated to June 20, 2025 by the Prevention Department of the ASL of Caserta, which confirm a clear reversal of the trend compared to the most critical years of the health emergency.
Good news for the Campania buffalo supply chain, strategic for the regional agricultural economy, and which is accompanied by new economic resources to support the affected livestock farms.
The announcement was made by the regional councilor for Agriculture Nicola Caputo, who spoke of "an important support for those who suffered the total or partial slaughter of their herd in the period 2017-2021, following the extraordinary measures adopted to contain the spread of the disease".
The compensations – paid under the de minimis regime – will amount to 365 euros per animal slaughtered, up to a maximum of 50 thousand euros per company. The real novelty of the call is the complete digitalization of the applications, which will be presented on the Department's platform in dematerialized format and managed with computerized investigation.
The total allocation foreseen is 8 million euros, of which 2 million are already available, with the increase expected soon thanks to the budget adjustment law. To the 7 million already disbursed for the period 2022-2024, this further tranche is therefore added, intended to compensate for the lost income of the years 2017-2021.
“Thanks to the coordinated action of the Region, the Extraordinary Commissioner, the Plan Coordinator, the veterinary services, the Universities and the Zooprophylactic Institute of Campania – explained Caputo – today the brucellosis emergency is under control: the incidence and prevalence of the disease have been drastically reduced”.
The numbers speak for themselves: the prevalence of brucellosis has dropped to 4,1%, compared to 18,7% in 2021, while the incidence is at 1,2%, a sign of consolidated containment. Active outbreaks in buffalo farms have also decreased: from 87 in 2021 to the current 18. Of these, 13 are concentrated in four cluster municipalities in the Caserta area - Cancello ed Arnone, Castel Volturno, Grazzanise and Santa Maria La Fossa - while the other 5 are distributed in less affected areas.
A constantly improving trend that gives hope for the future of buffalo breeding in Campania.
Article published on 25 June 2025 - 19:50
It is a positive fact that brucellosis is in retreat in Campania, but I wonder if the support measures will be sufficient to help all the affected companies, especially the smaller ones that may have difficulties.