Published Date: 2025-01-29 02:21:59 GMT
Subject: PRO/AH/EDR> Foot & mouth disease - Algeria (04): spread, livestock, control measures
Archive Number: 20250129.8721667
FOOT & MOUTH DISEASE - ALGERIA (04): SPREAD, LIVESTOCK, CONTROL MEASURES
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Date: Sun 26 Jan 2025
Source: Annasr Online [in Arabic, trans. Mod.SF, abridged, edited]
https://tinyurl.com/mr25bmvh
The services of the Agriculture Directorate of Batna Province launched on Friday [24 Jan 2025] a wide vaccination campaign for livestock across 16 municipalities to contain and prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease after the recording of several outbreaks.
According to information from the Agriculture Directorate, the campaign is preventive to stop the disease from spreading. In parallel, the same services have initiated awareness campaigns targeting livestock breeders, urging them to report suspected cases by contacting local authorities or veterinarians. The veterinary services of the Agriculture Directorate in Batna Province outlined the symptoms of foot-and-mouth disease, which affects pigs, cattle, and small ruminants.
The veterinary services have been raising awareness by highlighting the symptoms of foot-and-mouth disease and how to recognize them, such as the swelling of the interdigital area accompanied by lameness and excessive salivation. They also warned livestock breeders about the difficulty of detecting mild clinical symptoms in sheep and goats. These symptoms include abortion, sudden death of newborns, loss of appetite among infected animals, lethargy, fever, lameness, reduced milk production, and drooling.
In a related context, the Veterinary Inspectorate of the Agriculture Directorate in Batna Province also launched a free vaccination campaign against lumpy skin disease, which will last for a month. The Veterinary Inspectorate explained that the campaign is free of charge and supervised by private veterinarians. It also assured the availability of the vaccine, which is mandatory to protect cattle and is considered the only solution to prevent the spread of the disease.
The province of Batna has received an initial batch of doses of the vaccine against lumpy skin disease, which has spread among cattle. This batch consisted of 1300 doses, distributed to cattle farmers. According to information from the veterinary services of the Directorate of Agriculture, the vaccination campaign has already begun in areas classified as initial outbreak zones, specifically in the villages of Ras El Ayoun in the north and Djezar in the south. These 2 regions are known as milk production hubs due to the prevalence of dairy cattle farming. The veterinary services confirmed that the spread of the disease has been curbed thanks to preventive measures, particularly the disinfection of cattle farming areas.
Simultaneously with the launch of the vaccination campaign against lumpy skin disease, the Directorate of Agriculture in Batna continues its awareness campaign to guide farmers on controlling the spread of the disease among cattle. This campaign includes educational days held recently to inform farmers about the disease and its prevention methods. Veterinarians have also been raising awareness about the risks associated with this disease. The awareness campaign followed a decision by the province's governor to close livestock markets across the region as soon as cases of lumpy skin disease appeared among cattle. The decision was made upon the proposal of the Directorate of Agriculture as part of preventive measures to combat the contagious disease, in accordance with ministerial instructions issued after the emergence of outbreaks in some provinces of the country.
The awareness campaign by the agricultural authorities also focused on educating farmers about the disease, which is a contagious viral illness affecting livestock, particularly cattle. It is transmitted through bites from biting insects such as mosquitoes, flies, and ticks. The disease is characterized by the sudden appearance of skin nodules of varying sizes and the swelling of superficial lymph nodes, leading to economic losses due to reduced milk and meat production. During the census process, the agricultural authorities provided guidance to cattle farmers to help prevent the transmission of the disease.
[Byline: Yacine Aboubou]
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Date: Mon 27 Jan 2025
Source: Akhersaa [in Arabic, trans. Mod.SF, abridged, edited]
https://tinyurl.com/4ae4xs2d
The Directorate of Agricultural Services in the province of Annaba has implemented a series of precautionary measures to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and peste des petits ruminants (PPR) among small and large ruminants. These measures include banning all farmers from purchasing new livestock, including sheep and cattle, at the moment to avoid disease transmission.
The Directorate has urged farmers to refrain from attending unauthorized markets, as the closure of official weekly markets has led to unregulated buying and selling of livestock, which facilitates the spread of these diseases. Additionally, the Directorate has warned against allowing strangers into agricultural properties. If symptoms of either disease are observed in an animal, it must be isolated immediately, and the municipal veterinarian, agricultural branch, or veterinary inspectorate must be informed. In cases of animal death, rapid burial of carcasses is required, with the site disinfected using lime to prevent further outbreaks.
The provincial veterinary inspectorate has not yet recorded any reports or complaints regarding FMD or PPR in Annaba. However, sources from Akhersaa stated that the provincial veterinary inspectorate has taken swift and effective measures to prevent the entry of these diseases into the province. Notably, the transport of livestock is strictly prohibited unless accompanied by a veterinary health certificate, an animal identification number, a truck registration number, and the intended destination. These measures aim to prevent disruption in meat supply to slaughterhouses.
Veterinary authorities have also intensified inspections at slaughterhouses and livestock facilities to ensure no infected or suspected animals enter.
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Date: Sun 19 Jan 2025
Source: El Djoumhouria [in Arabic, trans. Mod.SF, abridged, edited]
https://www.eldjoumhouria.dz/article/33073/
The Directorate of Agricultural Services in the province of Oran announced that, due to the rapid spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), which poses a significant threat to livestock and causes considerable losses in livestock numbers, a provincial decree (No. 287) has been issued today [19 Jan 2025]. This decree includes the closure of the livestock market in the municipality of El Karma, Oran province, upon the recommendation of the Director of Agricultural Services. The market will remain closed until further notice.
The decree also prohibits all gatherings of cattle, sheep, and goats throughout the province, as well as the use of communal water basins, watering points, and grazing areas. Additionally, the movement of animals susceptible to the disease is strictly forbidden, except for those being transported to slaughterhouses. In such cases, an official veterinary certificate must be presented, and strict monitoring will be enforced on the road network.
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Date: Fri 17 Jan 2025
Source: Annasr Online [in Arabic, trans. Mod.SF, abridged, edited]
https://tinyurl.com/3nffyzp5
Governor Ahmed Belhadad of Tebessa signed a provincial decree yesterday [16 Jan 2025] to close livestock markets starting Friday [17 Jan 2025]. This measure aims to protect livestock, which is increasingly threatened by various diseases, due to the emergence of numerous outbreaks in neighboring provinces and the difficulty in controlling livestock movement.
Regarding foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), 37 outbreaks were recorded in Tebessa in 2024, involving 993 suspected cases in sheep, 97 in goats, and 35 in cattle. This resulted in the death of 52 lambs and 7 kids. The figures could rise due to farmers not adhering to quarantine, disinfection, and movement restrictions between farms. Investigations revealed that most new cases originated from livestock markets in Cheria and neighboring provinces such as M'Sila and Djelfa. Many animals were found to suffer from gum, tongue, and mouth inflammations, as well as fever in cattle and sheep.
In response, the Directorate of Agricultural Services vaccinated 10 900 cattle in mid-2024 during the first phase and vaccinated an additional 8000 cattle in a second phase, focusing on animals near the 18 identified outbreaks in the province. Following the market closures, the epidemiological situation stabilized, but the disease resurfaced in November [2024], requiring intensified efforts. These included sample analysis at the regional laboratory in El Tarf and securing 11 000 vaccine doses to treat infected animals. Efforts continue to this day.
The second disease threatening livestock in the province is lumpy skin disease (LSD) in cattle. Although the epidemiological situation has improved in recent months, livestock movement and new cases in neighboring areas risk a repeat of last summer's [2024] outbreak. During that time, the disease caused the death of 50 cattle, 30 outbreaks, and 139 cases of infection. The closure of markets and precautionary measures, including the vaccination of 10 000 cattle in the first phase and a follow-up campaign in November, successfully halted the disease's spread.
[Byline: El Jomoui Saker]
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[FMDV outbreaks have been reported in several provinces of Algeria. For more information, please refer to the posts in the See Also section below. Information about the FMDV serotype(s) and topotype(s) currently circulating in Algeria is anticipated. - Mod.SF
ProMED map:
Algeria: https://promedmail.org/promed-post?place=8721667,67]
