Published Date: 2024-01-08 23:28:55 GMT
Subject: PRO/AH/EDR> Foot & mouth disease - Algeria: (BU) cattle, spread
Archive Number: 20240108.8714139
FOOT & MOUTH DISEASE - ALGERIA: (BOUIRA) CATTLE, SPREAD
A ProMED-mail post http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the International Society for Infectious Diseases http://www.isid.org
Date: Thu 4 Jan 2024
Source: El Watan-dz.com [in French, trans. Mod.SF, abridged, edited]
https://elwatan-dz.com/14-360-tetes-de-cheptel-bovin-vaccines-des-cas-de-fievre-aphteuse-declares-a-bouira
An outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease was reported at the end of last week in the wilaya of Bouira. Cases of the disease affecting cattle were detected in a livestock farm in the locality of Iwakouren in the commune of M'chedallah, Mrs Benbelkacem Djamila, veterinary inspector for the Agricultural Services Department (DSA), told El Watan yesterday [Wed 3 Jan 2024].
"Eight head of cattle out of 14 identified were affected by the disease," she added, pointing out that the cattle from the suspect farm had been sequestered and placed in isolation to ensure their good health and avoid contact with other animals. Although the cases in question remain unconfirmed, safety measures have been taken by the inspection services to avoid any possible spread of the disease.
Since the 1st cases appeared in the 2 wilayas of Sétif and M'sila, local authorities have decided to close all livestock markets in the region as a precautionary measure. In addition to this measure to prevent the spread of the disease, a vaccination campaign against foot-and-mouth disease has been launched, according to the same source. The veterinary inspector specified that nearly 14 360 head of cattle had been vaccinated on existing farms in the wilaya.
Despite the mobilization of the services involved in this vaccination campaign, the operation has not yet reached other farms. "We have decided to run awareness-raising campaigns to encourage farmers to vaccinate their livestock, while assuring them of the availability of the vaccine," stressed Ms. Benbelkacem, reassuring them that the product was available and that they could request additional doses if necessary.
In the wilaya of Bouira, the agricultural services have counted some 32 000 head of cattle. The high cost of feed and vaccines has forced some farmers to abandon their activities.
[Byline: Amar Fedjkhi]
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[On 10 Dec 2023, Algeria reported to WOAH 2 bovine FMDV [foot-and-mouth disease virus] outbreaks in Sétif governorate (see ProMED post 20231212.8713667). Several reports from Algerian local medias have reported the spread of the disease to other wilayas such as Tebessa, Msila, and Bouira. - Mod.SF
ProMED map of Bouira, Algeria: https://promedmail.org/promed-post?place=8714119,12690]