It is no secret that the city of Naples and its surrounding Campania region have long chafed under the coercive rule of a continually warring organized crime syndicate known as Camorra—referred to by some as Italy’s “other mafia.” Not only has the city been the backdrop to decades-long internal drug wars, weapons dealing and violent gang recruitment, but entrenched political corruption and racketeering have resulted in two significant public health concerns, both of which have re-emerged in the press over the past two days.
The first issue concerns Naples’ best-known export, buffalo mozzarella. Brucellosis, a highly contagious bacterial disease, has been present in area water buffalo for over a decade, though local veterinarians are barred from treating and putting down infected animals by the Camorra, who controls many local farms and isn’t keen on losing millions over some piddly health snafu. Consequently 30% of Campania’s herds are infected by the ailment, which causes infertility and prevents milk production among livestock, and can be transmitted to humans through non-pasteurized food, resulting in potentially fatal fever. Over the next few weeks, police will provide armed escort for government vets, who will put down an estimated 32,000 buffalo.
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