Latest news with #FMD
Express Tribune
8 hours ago
- Health
- Express Tribune
Import of Giraffes, Rhinos, Hippos for Lahore zoo delayed over quarantine issues
Listen to article The Punjab Wildlife Department faces yet another hurdle in its animal import plans as the Animal Quarantine Department has withheld clearance for the import of giraffes, rhinos, and hippos from South Africa. The ambitious initiative to bring in large exotic animals for Lahore Zoo and Safari Park has now been delayed indefinitely, following a similar suspension of the elephant import project. Punjab Wildlife officials remain hopeful, however, that the situation will be resolved soon, enabling the arrival of the animals as part of the ongoing revamping of Lahore's zoological facilities. Several birds and animals have already been procured both domestically and internationally for Lahore Zoo and Safari Park. However, the import of major species — including 12 giraffes (nine for the Safari and three for the Zoo), three rhinos (one for the Zoo and a pair for the Safari), and one male hippopotamus for the Zoo — has been delayed. According to Mudassar Hassan, Director of the Revamping Project, while the federal Ministry of Climate Change has issued a no-objection certificate (NOC) for the import of several species including giraffes, rhinos, hippos, nyala antelopes, and zebras — excluding elephants — the Animal Quarantine Department has yet to grant final approval due to concerns over disease risk. Officials from the Animal Quarantine Department told Express News that health certificates for the animals being imported from South Africa are currently under review to ensure compliance with Pakistan's import regulations. 'If the existing health certificates do not meet the required standards, we will seek additional verification from the importers,' an official said. 'This is a purely procedural matter, intended to ensure that no foreign disease enters the country.' The department is particularly cautious about the presence of the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) virus in several African countries, including South Africa. While this strain is not currently present in Pakistan, officials fear that its introduction could pose a serious threat to the local livestock industry. Sources confirm that a temporary ban has been placed on the import of giraffes, rhinos, hippos, and other large animals from South Africa as a precautionary measure due to the FMD risk. The Quarantine Department has advised Punjab Wildlife to explore alternative countries for animal procurement, preferably those free from the FMD virus. However, Mudassar Hassan pointed out that this suggestion is difficult to implement. 'These species are either not available in other countries or are not surplus,' he said. 'Moreover, only South Africa has the cargo aircraft infrastructure needed for transporting such large animals.' He added that the Wildlife Department has proposed a quarantine plan under which the animals will undergo initial quarantine in South Africa, followed by another 15- to 30-day quarantine period upon arrival in Pakistan. 'Furthermore, the specific strain of FMD virus being cited has never been reported in rhinos or hippos,' he stated. 'It is also important to note that these animals will be housed in zoos and safari parks, not in proximity to livestock.' While the positions of Punjab Wildlife and the Animal Quarantine Department differ, WWF Pakistan's representative, Dr. Uzma Khan highlighted another important issue — the source of the animals. 'We should import animals from zoos, not directly from the wild,' she said. 'It is difficult to confirm whether imported animals are wild-caught or captive-bred, especially in African countries.' Dr. Khan emphasized the importance of following legal and ethical protocols. 'It is preferable to procure animals from zoos, safari parks, or certified breeding farms in FMD-free countries, as these animals adapt better to captivity,' she said. 'In contrast, wild-caught animals often suffer stress and illness when confined.' Another critical concern is the fiscal timeline. If the animals are not imported within the current financial year, the funds allocated for the project will lapse under public finance regulations. However, Project Director Mudassar Hassan remains optimistic that the imports will proceed in time. 'Discussions are underway to extend the import deadline,' he said. 'I can't say anything definitive yet, but we expect to deliver good news to the public very soon.' Launched in 2023 under the caretaker government, the Lahore Zoo and Safari Park Revamping Project was allocated nearly Rs. 5 billion. The success of the animal imports is seen as a crucial milestone in the project's progress.
The Citizen
9 hours ago
- Health
- The Citizen
Government gains momentum in tackling foot and mouth disease
Intensified efforts to control and eradicate foot and mouth disease (FMD) are paying off. This is according to Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, who, in a statement on Wednesday, said the process of procuring vaccines through Onderstepoort Biological Products has started, and the next batch of vaccines is expected to be delivered by mid-June. The disease management areas (DMAs) in the two provinces are soon to be lifted, and an urgent order has been placed for much-needed vaccines valued at R72m. 'This marks a crucial step forward in the department's vaccination strategy. The department has provisionally costed the vaccine requirements for the 2025/2026 financial year at R1.2b, with each vaccine estimated at R100 per dose,' Steenhuisen said. Recognising the seriousness of the FMD threat, the minister said he escalated control efforts to the deputy director-general (DGG) for agricultural production, biosecurity and natural resources management, Dipepeneneng Serage, earlier this month. 'The office of the DDG has already engaged with veterinary services and various industry representatives to detail the actions required to curb the threat.' The minister highlighted that the lifting of the current DMAs in the Eastern Cape and Limpopo is imminent. In the Eastern Cape, disease management areas covering the Kouga and Kou-Kamma Municipalities have been in place since July 26, 2024. Through a robust vaccination campaign, 144 424 vaccinations were successfully administered, and the last confirmed FMD case was reported in September 2024. He added that extensive serological surveillance has found no further signs of infection. Steenhuisen confirmed that the movement restrictions in the Eastern Cape DMA will be lifted soon. Similar success has been reported in the Vhembe District in Limpopo, where a DMA was declared in September 2022 to control an FMD outbreak in dip tanks in the Vhembe Municipality. Two rounds of vaccination saw 23 024 vaccinations administered to cattle across 34 dip tanks, proving highly effective in bringing the outbreak under control. 'These positive developments highlight the effectiveness of our collaborative control measures, and the dedication of all stakeholders involved. The department remains vigilant and committed to implementing proactive strategies to safeguard animal health and the agricultural sector,' said the minister. KZN The minister reported that the DMA in KZN remains in place, since there are still signs of active virus circulation in the area. He said some outbreaks that were detected outside of the DMA were successfully contained with no sign of outward spread of the disease. 'An abattoir in the Vryheid area in the DMA is in the process of being designated to slaughter animals from premises under FMD restrictions. A system has been put in place to assess the level of biosecurity on individual farms, with the intention of aligning the control measures to the biosecurity risks,' the minister explained. Mpumalanga Meanwhile, the minister said a single outbreak was reported on a single farm in the Gert Sibande Municipality in Mpumalanga, in April, which was identified as a trace forward from an auction in KZN. 'Following one round of targeted surveillance of surrounding farms, there are no signs that this outbreak spread to any adjacent farms or other linked locations. The department has started with the second round of surveillance,' the minister said. Gauteng In addition, in Gauteng, new FMD cases have been confirmed in the West Rand and East Rand. The minister noted that an outbreak at a feedlot and adjacent farm were found to be positive in the West Rand Municipality. Initially, the outbreak was linked to an auction in Heidelberg, however follow-up epidemiological investigation indicated a different infection source. 'Veterinary services are testing adjacent premises and linked locations to determine the origin of this outbreak and possible spread.' Additional cases were detected in communal cattle in the East Rand in May. Samples were collected and FMD infection was confirmed. Epidemiological investigations have commenced to identify and test all adjacent and linked locations. Suspension of beef imports The minister announced that the People's Republic of China has suspended imports of cloven-hoofed animals and related products from South Africa due to the spread of the outbreaks in KZN to Mpumalanga and Gauteng. 'Preliminary information obtained confirmed that this suspension includes only beef from South Africa to China. The good news is that the export of wool that complies with the protocol already agreed to has not been affected,' the minister said. He has also urged livestock owners and traders to take note of the incubation period of FMD. He reminded farmers that FMD has an incubation period of up to 14 days, during which animals can appear clinically healthy, before they start showing clinical signs generally associated with FMD. 'It is crucial that newly bought animals are kept separate from the resident herd for at least 28 days, even if a health attestation was issued for the animals. The health attestation and 28-day separation have been a legal requirement since October 2022.' Biosecurity Minister Steenhuisen emphasised the importance of national co-operation in halting the spread of FMD. 'Biosecurity is everybody's responsibility. The department urges all livestock farmers in the country to limit animal movement as far as possible. 'Auctioneers and livestock owners should be vigilant when buying cloven-hoofed animals from provinces in which there are active FMD outbreaks. No cloven-hoofed animals should be accepted from areas under restriction for FMD,' said the minister. – Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Punjab, UK to collaborate on farming and livestock reforms
LAHORE: The Punjab government and the British High Commission have agreed to work together on supporting farmers, dealing with climate change, improving university linkages, better animal breeding and controlling foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) to strengthen agriculture and livestock sectors of the province. The consensus reached during a meeting of the Punjab's Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, with Ben Warrington, Head of the Lahore Office at the British High Commission. Punjab Agriculture Secretary Iftikhar Ali Sahoo was also present. Minister Kirmani said Punjab values the UK's financial help and wants to learn from the UK's experience in the livestock sector. He shared that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has focused on improving agriculture and livestock. Over the past year, the government gave farmers interest-free loans through the Kissan Card and Livestock Card programs. These programs help farmers avoid being exploited by middlemen. He also talked about the transforming Punjab agriculture program, which has a large budget of Rs 400 billion. The government is focusing on modern farming equipment, efficient irrigation, good quality seeds, and new research centers. These steps aim to lower crop costs and increase yield per acre. To reduce smog, the government has given farmers 5,000 subsidized super seeders. It is also setting up four agriculture malls where farmers can rent modern farming machines at low rates. Last year, 9,500 tractors were given to farmers with Rs 1 million subsidy on each. A new loan scheme is also being introduced to help farmers and service providers get high-tech machines. Punjab is also starting a breed improvement program in 10 districts. This program aims to improve milk and meat production. High-quality animal semen will be sold in the market at lower prices. The minister also said that to control FMD, the government will set up two special zones and five compartments in the upcoming budget. This will greatly help in controlling the disease. Ben Warrington praised the steps Punjab has taken in agriculture reforms. He said the UK understands the problems faced by Punjab's farmers and wants to help solve them. Consultant Dr. Muhammad Anjum Ali and Director General of Agriculture Information Punjab, Naveed Ismat Kahloon, also joined the meeting. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Pharma packaging: smarter & safer
While drug formulation rightly receives significant attention, packaging is equally crucial — it ensures stability, prevents contamination, facilitates correct usage, and even deters counterfeit activity. With technological advances and heightened regulatory focus, pharmaceutical packaging is undergoing a transformation that promises smarter and safer outcomes. This article explores the key innovations and enduring trends shaping the future of pharma packaging. Smart packaging — once the stuff of science fiction — is now becoming mainstream in the pharmaceutical industry. These intelligent systems go far beyond simply housing a product. They are designed to enhance patient adherence, monitor environmental conditions, and provide authentication, all through embedded technology. One notable innovation is the rise of electronic labels and packaging that can remind patients when to take their medication. These packages often include printed sensors or electronic circuits connected to mobile apps. By tracking usage patterns, these systems can alert users to missed doses or even warn healthcare providers of non-compliance, a particularly valuable feature for patients managing chronic illnesses. Time-temperature indicators (TTIs) are another smart feature gaining traction. These devices change colour when a product has been exposed to temperatures outside its safe range — a critical feature for biologics and vaccines that require cold chain integrity. For global pharmaceutical supply chains, TTIs provide a visual assurance of proper handling, reducing the risk of administering compromised medicines. Radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags and QR codes are also becoming standard. These technologies enable real-time tracking of products through the supply chain, bolstering transparency and reducing the chance of diversion or counterfeit substitution. A simple scan can now verify the origin and authenticity of a product, empowering pharmacists and consumers alike. Counterfeit drugs remain one of the most pressing issues facing the global pharmaceutical industry, particularly in regions with less robust regulatory oversight. According to the World Health Organization, one in ten medical products in low- and middle-income countries is either substandard or falsified. Packaging, therefore, is on the front line of defence. Tamper-evident packaging has become a key requirement in many jurisdictions, particularly across the EU under the Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD). Features such as breakable seals, shrink bands, and perforated closures provide clear visual cues that a package has been opened or interfered with. These measures, while relatively low-tech, are effective deterrents against tampering and reassure patients of product integrity. More sophisticated solutions are also emerging, including forensic markers, holograms, and microtext printing — all of which are difficult to replicate. Some companies have even begun embedding invisible inks and DNA-based identifiers into packaging materials, detectable only with specialised equipment. These innovations serve as powerful tools in authentication, helping customs officials, distributors, and healthcare professionals verify legitimacy. Serialisation, now required in many countries, is another major leap forward. It involves assigning a unique serial number to every saleable unit of medication. When coupled with a central database, this allows regulators and manufacturers to track each unit across its lifecycle — from production to patient. The technology not only combats counterfeiting but also facilitates targeted recalls and improves inventory management. As environmental concerns take centre stage, pharmaceutical companies are under increasing pressure to adopt sustainable packaging solutions. The industry has traditionally relied on plastics and other non-biodegradable materials to ensure product sterility and durability. However, new materials and design philosophies are emerging that balance safety with environmental responsibility. Recyclable blister packs, compostable cartons, and biodegradable films are gaining popularity. Paper-based alternatives to plastic inserts and trays are already being trialled, and some companies are exploring plant-based polymers that decompose naturally. These efforts are not without their challenges — especially when it comes to maintaining moisture resistance and barrier protection — but the direction of travel is clear. Patient-centric design is also reshaping pharmaceutical packaging. Easy-to-open containers, clearly labelled instructions, and accessible design for individuals with visual or physical impairments are becoming more common. This is not merely a matter of convenience; research shows that user-friendly packaging can significantly improve adherence to treatment regimens. Child-resistant features remain a vital component, but the focus is shifting towards dual-purpose packaging that protects young children while remaining manageable for elderly users. Innovations like push-turn caps with tactile indicators and audible clicks are subtle yet impactful steps in the right direction. The future of pharmaceutical packaging lies at the intersection of technology, safety, sustainability, and design. As manufacturers respond to stricter regulations, smarter consumer expectations, and a more connected global marketplace, packaging is evolving from a passive container into a dynamic guardian of health. The move towards smarter and safer solutions is not only enhancing product integrity but also placing greater control into the hands of patients and providers. This evolution is set to continue. From digital companions that track doses to tamper-proof seals that guarantee authenticity, the journey of a medicine from factory to patient is being redefined. In a world where health outcomes often hinge on precision and trust, pharmaceutical packaging is no longer an afterthought — it is a frontline technology. "Pharma packaging: smarter & safer" was originally created and published by Packaging Gateway, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. 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The Herald
3 days ago
- Health
- The Herald
Agriculture department intensifies fight against foot-and-mouth disease
'T he procurement process has started and the next batch of vaccine s is estimated to be delivered by mid - June. This marks a crucial step forward in the d epartment's vaccination strategy.' The department had provisionally costed the vaccine requirements for the 2025/2026 financial year at R1. 2bn, with vaccines estimated at R100 per dose. A DMA has been in place in the Kouga and Kou - Kamma municipalities in the Eastern Cape s ince July 26 2024 to control FMD outbreaks. 'Through a robust vaccination campaign, 144,424 vaccinations were successfully administered.' With the last cases reported in September 2024 and extensive serological surveillance confirming no undetected pockets of the disease , Steenhuisen said the movement restrictions in the Eastern Cape DMA will be lifted soon. 'Similarly, restrictions on the DMA in Limpopo will be lifted. This DMA has been in place since September 2022 to control an outbreak in dip tanks in the Vhembe municipality,' he said. However, there were still signs of active virus circulation in KwaZulu-Natal and the DMA remained in place . 'Some outbreaks detected outside the DMA were successfully contained with no sign of outward spread of the disease.'
