Jordan News
FOOT & MOUTH DISEASE - JORDAN
Foot and Mouth disease (FMD) has been endemic in cattle and small ruminants in Jordan for many years. The first reported suspect cases of FMD for 1998/9 were on November 23 in Irbid Governorate situated close to the Syrian and Israeli borders. Since then more than 20 outbreaks were reported by the State veterinarians All these outbreaks have been north and east of Amman as well as around the city.Animals on 16 farms with clinical lesions consistent with FMD were submitted to Kimron Veterinary Institute, Israel. Samples from 8 farms were positive for O1 type FMD and included both cattle and small ruminants. Losses were high in calves, lambs and kids, but very few adult animals were lost. Control measures included ring vaccination, (using in stock vaccine), isolation of clinically affected animals, disinfection and general advice to farmers on preventing young animals from suckling. Media publicity was also undertaken. Following an emergency declaration, an additional 1 million doses of vaccine were purchased by the Ministry of Agriculture and distributed to affected areas.
Dr Asaad Abu Ragheb
Director of Veterinary Department,
Ministry of Agriculture,
Amman, Jordan
e-mail: vetjo@index.com.jo