Egypt's animal health situation ‘stable and reassuring': Official - Health
Egypt's animal health situation remains 'stable and reassuring' despite the regional spread of epidemic and transboundary diseases, Hamed El-Aknes, head of the General Organization for Veterinary Services (GOVS), said on Sunday.
His reassurance follows reports of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), including its SAT 1 strain, in Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Turkey. FMD is a highly contagious virus affecting cattle, sheep, goats, and other cloven-hoofed animals.
El-Aknes confirmed Egypt has ample stocks of vaccines and treatments, with nationwide immunisation campaigns underway to safeguard livestock and support small farmers.
Authorities are also maintaining strict checks at veterinary quarantine points and ports to monitor animal imports and livestock trade, he added, stressing adherence to approved quarantine measures.
The GOVS, which is affiliated with the Egyptian agricultural ministry, has also bolstered lab capacity to detect virus strains and expanded its strategic vaccine reserves as part of a proactive plan, he added.
The plan also includes public awareness campaigns to educate farmers on disease prevention and early reporting.
El-Aknes urged farmers—calling them the "first line of defence"—to report suspected cases, follow vaccination schedules, and implement biosecurity measures. Suspected infections can be reported via the hotline 19561.
According to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), FMD is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, and swine.
The disease has serious economic impacts as it disrupts livestock production and trade.
The SAT 1 strain is one of seven distinct FMD virus serotypes, each requiring a specific vaccine, and is classified as a transboundary animal disease due to its potential to spread rapidly across borders.
SAT 1 cases have been reported in Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Turkey, based on data from global reference laboratories and the WOAH.
The GOVS has since declared a state of maximum alert and activated early warning and precautionary measures to protect Egypt's livestock from FMD and the SAT 1 strain.
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