Georgia: (Shida Kartli) South Ossetia, disputed territory, Request for information

Date: Sun 21 Apr 2024
Source: Cominf.org [in Russian, machine trans., edited]
https://cominf.org/node/1166556021


In the villages of Ubiat and Chimas, Znaursky district of South Ossetia, animals with suspected foot-and-mouth disease were identified. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic.

The Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry collected samples of biomaterials [of infected animals] for laboratory research.

"Measures were immediately taken to contain and prevent the spread of the infection. This includes installing disinfection barriers in farms where clinical signs of the disease were identified and vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease began.

The research results confirmed the fears, the preliminary diagnosis of foot and mouth disease was confirmed," the report notes.

Foot and mouth disease is a viral, acute disease of domestic and wild artiodactyl animals, characterized by fever and aphthous lesions of the mucous membrane of the oral cavity, skin of the udder and limbs. Cattle and pigs are most often affected. The disease can spread from a sick animal to a person -- people develop a high temperature, small blisters on the mucous membrane and around the mouth, near the nails.

"After [the] confirmation of the diagnosis, residents of nearby villages were notified, as well as, in accordance with veterinary rules, the heads of veterinary services in other areas. Explanatory work was carried out with owners of sick animals and instructions were issued on the need to comply with all veterinary requirements. We once again remind the residents of our republic not to purchase animals and products of animal origin in places of unauthorized trade and without veterinary accompanying documents," said the head of the veterinary and phytosanitary inspection service of South Ossetia, Mairbeg Guchmazov.

The department emphasized that today [21 Apr 2024] the situation is under control, all necessary measures are being taken to prevent the spread of infection throughout the republic -- farm animals will be vaccinated as soon as possible.

However, given the high risk of the spread of infection throughout the republic, the department recommends that cattle owners follow the rules for keeping animals, purchase feed from safe areas, and heat-treat feed previously purchased from unknown persons. In addition, it is necessary to ensure regular disinfection of areas where animals are kept and food is stored, as well as vehicles at the entrance to farms.

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Communicated by:
ProMED

[Georgia claims South Ossetia as its sovereign territory and is recognized as such by all but 5 UN members. The territory is occupied by Russia and is the primary issue in the Georgian-Ossetian conflict.

It is not yet clear which serotype of FMDV is causing the outbreak. Serotype O was seen in South Ossetia in 2011 (https://www.wrlfmd.org/western-and-central-asia/georgia#panel-4272). ProMED would appreciate any information on the serotype involved when it becomes available. - Mod.JH