Aphthous fever is a highly contagious viral disease that affects clovenes animals, including cattle, pigs, sheep, goats and several wild species.
Europe currently faces its worst out of the century at the same time that an exotic viral tension has been introduced in Iraq and other countries In the Near East.
Concern about the possible propagation
“FAO recommends urgent biosafety measures and improved surveillance After the recent detection of the disease serotype of the disease and mouth disease (FMD) SAT1 in Iraq and Bahrain, ”said the agency in aalert.
“This serotype is exotic for the regions of Near East and Western Eurasia,” the agency continued, which means that tension is not normally found there, which raises “serious concerns” about its potential propagation.
Aphyosa fever is typically characterized by fever and blisters in the mouth and feet of the affected cattle, accompanied by limp. Although few adult animals succumb to the disease, young people can die due to sudden heart failure.
The virus spreads rapidly and can affect a large number of animals, especially in countries or regions that are generally free of the disease or do not regularly use vaccination.
Although Afitase fever is not a threat to public health, it severely affects the health and well -being of animals, food security and income by reducing agricultural productivity, even through the decrease in milk and meat yields.
The economic impact is also substantial, since the losses of global direct production and vaccination costs in the endemic regions are estimated at $ 21 billion annually. FAO pointed out that the true economic burden is probably much greater when interruptions for international trade such as the premises are taken into account.
TO Important outbreak in the United Kingdom in 2001 It led to the sacrifice of more than six million animals and cost the economy billions, devastating industry and tourism won. According to reports, a series of new measures in response have reduced risk and improved resilience, including local and national contingency plans for outbreaks.
Outbreaks and response
The FMD virus was recently detected in parts of Europe normally free of the disease and the continent is now experiencing its worst outbreak since 2001.
Germany He detected an outbreak last January, but since then he has declared a fever free Hungary and Slovakia They have persisted.
In response, the United Kingdom He recently announced that he has banned imports of meat or dairy products from European countries where the virus has been detected, as well as Austria Due to the outbreak in neighbor Hungary.
Aphtosase fever is endemic in the Near East, but the recent increase is due to an exotic serotype that is probably introduced into Eastern Africa. Cases have been reported in Bahrain, Iraq and Kuwait, although other countries have a high risk.
Many FMD virus strains continue to circulate in different parts of the world, and recent outbreaks both in Europe and the Near East highlight the continuous risk that the disease poses for livelihoods, food security and safe trade, FAO said.
Increase consciousness
While all governments are urged to be vigilant, the agency said that affected and high -risk countries should consider sensitization measures between farmers and communities to protect cattle.
Other recommendations include biosecurity measures, such as the separation of sick animals from another cattle and examine them professionals, together with verifying vaccination records and verifying the contingency plans of the Afitase fever.
FAO said that by implementing these measures, countries can significantly reduce risks.
