Help stop the destruction of farm animals in Russia: an epidemiological scientist appealed to Putin

In various regions of the Russian Federation, including Khakassia, Buryatia, Udmurtia, Tyva, Krasnoyarsk Territory, Irkutsk, Amur, and Astrakhan, a significant outbreak of what is officially reported as 'infectious nodular dermatitis of cattle' has led to the mass culling of tens of thousands of farm animals. However, evidence and expert opinions, such as those from epidemiologist Svetlana Shchepyotkina, suggest that the real issue is foot and mouth disease, a highly contagious ailment affecting livestock and potentially humans. The response to the outbreak, involving mass culling rather than isolation, treatment, and vaccination, has been criticized for not only violating veterinary rules but also causing substantial economic and social harm to rural communities. The situation is further exacerbated by accusations that regional authorities are misdiagnosing the disease to avoid export bans, leading to improper handling and transportation of culled animals, thereby risking further spread of the disease.