Ministry of Agriculture: We are closely monitoring the developments of the epidemic situation of the new foot-and-mouth disease

SadaNews - The Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture is closely following the developments of the epidemic situation of the new foot-and-mouth disease of type (SAT1), in light of registered cases in several neighboring countries and within the Green Line, which poses potential risks to the livestock sector in Palestine.

From the very first moment, the ministry began implementing a comprehensive response plan based on risk analysis, aimed at preventing the disease from entering Palestinian territories and limiting its spread. A series of preventive and precautionary measures were taken, including the issuance of guidance instructions to livestock farmers to enhance biosecurity measures within farms, contributing to the protection of their herds and maintaining their safety.

As part of national readiness, the Palestinian government allocated approximately (3 million shekels) to secure the necessary vaccines, despite challenges related to vaccine scarcity, global demand for it, and restrictions on its entry into the Palestinian market. The ministry, in collaboration with partners, made diligent efforts that resulted in securing (100,000) doses of vaccine through the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

These doses have been directed, as a first phase, to vaccinate dairy cattle due to their high sensitivity to infection, and the direct consequences of the disease, including reduced milk production, weight loss, abortion cases, and mortality of newborns, which negatively affects food security and livestock production chains.

Accordingly, the ministry launched a comprehensive national vaccination campaign targeting dairy farms, with veterinary teams beginning the vaccination process free of charge, following a specified schedule that takes into account epidemic priorities.

In this context, the ministry continues to coordinate with international partners, led by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), to provide (200,000) additional doses, expected to arrive soon, allowing the expansion of the vaccination scope to include the herds most susceptible to infection, including sheep and fattening calves, based on a gradual approach built on risk assessment.

The specialized veterinary staff has also intensified epidemiological investigations in border areas and hotspots, collecting and sending laboratory samples to local and reference laboratories for accurate diagnosis and assessment of the overall health situation.

On the organizational front, the ministry issued strict instructions to regulate the movement and transport of animals within and between governorates, as well as from abroad, and decided to temporarily close livestock markets to limit opportunities for transmission of the infection due to direct contact between animals.

While the Ministry of Agriculture confirms that the situation is under close monitoring, it emphasizes the importance of livestock farmers adhering to preventive measures and biosecurity instructions, and calls for full cooperation with veterinary teams to ensure overcoming this phase with minimal possible damage.

The ministry also appeals to the media and the honorable public to obtain information only from official sources, and to follow updates through the ministry's approved platforms or through veterinary service departments in the governorates.