Tour de France: Stage 19 Alterations and Delay Result from Cattle Disease Issue at Col des Saisies
Tour de France Adjusts Stage 19 Due to Contagious Cattle Disease
The Tour de France has made a last-minute change to Stage 19, originally 129.9 kilometers long, which has now been shortened to 95 kilometers. This alteration is due to the discovery of Contagious nodular dermatitis in the Col des Saisies area. However, the La Plagne section of the stage remains unaffected.
The revised route will begin with a ceremonial start in Albertville, host city of the 1992 Winter Olympics, but an hour later at 2:30 p.m. local time. After a 7-kilometer neutral rollout, the peloton will rejoin the original race route shortly before Beaufort. The section from Beaufort to La Plagne remains unchanged.
La Plagne, an HC (Hors Catégorie) ascent, is part of the unchanged portion of the stage. The day's first big test will be the Col du Pré, a category HC ascent of 12.6 kilometers at an average gradient of 7.7%. The exact length and average gradient of the La Plagne climb are not specified.
Contagious nodular dermatitis, also known as Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), is a viral skin infection affecting cattle that is not transmissible to humans. The disease presents with several characteristic symptoms, including fever and lethargy in affected cattle, the appearance of firm, circumscribed nodules on the skin, mucous membranes, and internal organs, and skin nodules that may extend to deeper layers, occasionally affecting muscles.
Early diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment. Antibiotics such as Oxytetracycline (100 mg/kg IM daily for 5 days) are used to control secondary bacterial infection, while anti-inflammatory treatment with Dexamethasone (0.2 mg/kg IM daily for 3 days) is also administered. Isolation of affected animals, effective insect control, and close supportive care until full recovery are key aspects of treatment.
Prevention is the most effective tool against LSD. Regular insect control measures, strict biosecurity and isolation of affected animals, disinfection of equipment and housing, collaboration with veterinary professionals, and vaccination programs are all part of a comprehensive prevention and management strategy.
The change in Stage 19 serves as a reminder of the importance of veterinary care and herd management practices in maintaining the health and wellbeing of livestock. The disease can cause significant animal suffering and economic hardship for farmers. The remainder of Stage 19, after the Col du Pré, will finish with an HC climb to the top of La Plagne.
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