Nationwide survey to screen for livestock diseases

A nation wide survey to determine the health status of the livestock population here will be conducted by the Animal Health and Production Division in the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.{{more}}

The survey began on Monday, 4th August, and will run until Friday, 29th August, and will be done among the sheep, goat, and cattle herds. The survey is an annual event that is used to ensure that the local livestock population does not, unknowingly, become exposed to any of the exotic diseases that do not presently exist here.

According to Dr. Malaika Glasgow, Veterinary Officer, the survey is being used to look for diseases such as Tubercolosis, Brucellosis, two diseases that can be transferred from animals to man, and CAE (Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis). She also added that the search will also be on for the presence of the tropical bont tick, which turned up here in 2000 but has not been seen since 2002, after the implementation of a comprehensive control and eradication program.

Accordingly, on Monday 4th, Officers from the Division will visit a number of randomly selected farms to conduct the inspection of the animals, taking samples and conducting a general examination of the animals. Farmers will be expected to assist the process by restraining their animals and providing suitable locations on the farm where this can be done.