Russia Culls Thousands of Siberian Cattle Amid Outbreak

Russian authorities have ordered the mass culling of thousands of cattle across Siberia in response to an outbreak of livestock diseases, prompting protests from farmers and raising concerns about potential impacts on the country's agricultural exports.

The outbreak, centered in the Novosibirsk region, was officially attributed to pasteurellosis, a bacterial infection that causes severe pneumonia in animals, complicated by rabies and other unspecified illnesses. Officials declared a state of emergency in Novosibirsk on March 16 to contain the spread, with culls continuing as of March 20 in areas including the village of Kozikha, about 70 kilometers southwest of the regional capital. Veterinary services reported that the pasteurellosis strain had mutated, becoming more aggressive and leading to immune suppression in affected animals, making them vulnerable to secondary infections.

According to Sergei Dankvert, head of the government commission investigating the outbreak, laboratory tests confirmed the mutation, and the only effective measure was the rapid destruction of sick and suspect animals. "In such a situation, the only way to stop the spread is the rapid removal and...