An official report issued by the Ministry of Agriculture's General Authority for Veterinary Services revealed on Monday that the total number of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) infections among livestock since the first of January until February 14 amounted to 1,580 cases.
There were 156 recorded deaths, equal to 10 percent of the total number of infected animals, which are normal rates of infection and mortality, the report added.
FMD is a highly contagious viral epidemic that is transmitted through the air. It causes the death of livestock, especially young animals, and leads to huge economic losses, said the report, noting that the virus is most active in the winter season.
The report stressed the need to take precautionary measures through the prompt vaccination of animals to prevent the spread of disease, besides cleaning and purifying stockades on a regular basis and buying livestock from authentic suppliers. The report also instructed precautionary measures such as immediately reporting to a vet any animals that are suspected to have contracted the virus and isolating the animal from other livestock.
The report called on authorities to tighten control on livestock traders to prevent the transfer of animals without permits, and to provide sanitary landfills for dead animals.
The General Authority for Veterinary Services exerts the maximum effort to control the markets as well as the transfer of animals, in coordination with governors and local authorities. It also launches awareness campaigns on the disease for livestock traders, the report mentioned.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
