The Algerian commune of Oued Ghir has initiated a vaccination campaign against foot-and-mouth disease and rabies, targeting the local bovine population. The campaign, which runs from January 5 to 15, aims to protect the region's livestock, according to a statement by the Oued Ghir Communal People's Assembly. The effort is part of national prophylactic campaigns to combat these diseases and is overseen by the local veterinary inspection.
The vaccination campaign covers around 20 localities in the Oued Ghir municipality, known for its agricultural activities. A vaccination schedule has been established and made public to allow bovine breeders in each village to prepare in advance. The campaign is conducted by the Veterinary Inspection of the Local Agricultural Services Directorate.
The vaccination program is part of a larger initiative that began on December 15 and will continue until March 31, 2020. The campaign aims to immunize the region's livestock against potential foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks, which can have devastating consequences, particularly for dairy farmers. The region has a significant dairy industry, with approximately 13,600 female heads of cattle, including over 7,500 dairy cows.
The Algerian Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development provided over 40,000 doses of vaccine against foot-and-mouth disease and rabies to the Béjaïa province, where Oued Ghir is located. The vaccination campaign is carried out free of charge by at least 26 authorized veterinarians, including 23 private practitioners.
A similar vaccination campaign was conducted in March 2019 in Béjaïa province, following the appearance of foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks in late 2018. At that time, the province received 14,000 doses of vaccine to immunize its bovine and ovine populations, which comprised approximately 47,000 heads of cattle and over 100,000 heads of sheep.
In addition to foot-and-mouth disease, the region has also faced outbreaks of peste des petits ruminants, a contagious disease affecting small ruminants. To combat this, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development provided 60,000 doses of vaccine to the Béjaïa province to immunize its ovine and caprine populations.
The vaccination campaign in Oued Ghir is a crucial step in protecting the region's livestock and preventing the spread of diseases. The effort is part of a broader initiative to safeguard the health and well-being of Algeria's livestock and ensure the sustainability of the country's agricultural sector.
Key points
- The vaccination campaign targets a significant bovine population in Oued Ghir, with approximately 13,600 female heads of cattle in the region.
- The campaign is part of a larger initiative that began on December 15 and will continue until March 31, 2020.
- The Algerian Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development provided over 40,000 doses of vaccine against foot-and-mouth disease and rabies to the Béjaïa province.
