Egypt's PM, JICA chief discuss boosting investment, education ties at TICAD 9    Egyptian pound wavers vs. USD in early trade    SCZONE showcases investment opportunities to eight Japanese companies    Egypt urges Israel to accept Gaza deal amid intensifying fighting    Egypt, ADIB explore strategic partnership in digital healthcare, investment    Egypt's PM meets Tokyo governor, witnesses signing of education agreements    Egypt welcomes international efforts for peace in Ukraine    Al-Sisi, Macron reaffirm strategic partnership, coordinate on Gaza crisis    Egypt's Sisi, France's Macron discuss Gaza ceasefire efforts in phone call    Contact Reports Strong 1H-2025 on Financing, Insurance Gains    Egypt, India's BDR Group in talks to establish biologics, cancer drug facility    AUC graduates first cohort of film industry business certificate    Egypt to tighten waste rules, cut rice straw fees to curb pollution    Egypt recovers collection of ancient artefacts from Netherlands    Egypt harvests 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater in Sinai as part of flash flood protection measures    Egypt, Namibia explore closer pharmaceutical cooperation    Fitch Ratings: ASEAN Islamic finance set to surpass $1t by 2026-end    Renowned Egyptian novelist Sonallah Ibrahim dies at 88    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Egypt, Huawei explore healthcare digital transformation cooperation    Egypt's Sisi, Sudan's Idris discuss strategic ties, stability    Egypt to inaugurate Grand Egyptian Museum on 1 November    Egypt's Sisi: Egypt is gateway for aid to Gaza, not displacement    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



"Lumpy skin disease" threatens food security, say agricultural experts
Published in Daily News Egypt on 12 - 07 - 2006

CAIRO: Agricultural and veterinary experts have issued warnings that the continued spread of so-called "lumpy skin disease (LSD) among livestock could threaten food security, along with the livelihoods of thousands of cattle farmers.
"Egypt needs to work hard or else there could be serious problems with food security, said Dr. Taleb Ali, regional animal health officer at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization's Near East office. While LSD cannot be contracted by humans, Ali added, it still constitutes a threat because there are no specific cures for the disease.
LSD first struck Egypt in 1988 and quickly spread across the country, causing massive economic losses, according to the agriculture ministry. However, the crisis was eventually brought under control by way of government containment measures.
However, a new rash of LSD cases that appeared last July has proven more difficult to control. Although over 2.5 million heads of cattle have been vaccinated out of an estimated total of 3.5 million countrywide, the virus has continued to spread.
"The vaccines may not be working because we might be dealing with a new, more vicious strain of the disease, said Ali, who cited a 30 percent mortality rate among infected cattle.
According to the agriculture ministry, cases of the disease can now be found across the Nile Delta, and have had adverse economic effects on small farmers.
"In affected areas, the price of beef has already suffered massive drops, said Ali. Lactic products and leather industries have also been affected by LSD. "Once a given cow has been infected, its leather becomes impossible to use.
Dr. Sami Taha, member of the Egyptian Veterinarians' Syndicate, explained that the government has only offered compensation to farmers with insurance.
"But it's the small farmers who own no more than one or two cows or buffalo that will feel the losses most deeply, said Taha.
Both Taha and Ali have issued urgent calls for the implementation of more containment measures in the livestock industry, as well as for greater cooperation among relevant sectors.
"It's important that all veterinarians and their respective institutes become involved, said Ali.
Taha called on the government to distribute veterinary professionals across the Egyptian countryside, both to help contain LSD and to guarantee food security.
"Without the presence of veterinarians on farms, we cannot guarantee food security for consumers, Taha said. IRIN


Clic here to read the story from its source.