The Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority has administered more than 2,729,257 doses for livestock in Abu Dhabi, Western Region and Al Ain as part of and the third phase of the Authority's 'Cattle are a blessing and Let us Protect Them through Immunization' campaign. The campaign is expected to continue till the end of April 2012.

The Immunization Campaign, currently at its third phase, has taken off in September 2011 under the aegis of the Live Stock sector at Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority. Doses have been given to livestock in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region against foot and mouth disease, contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP), Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) and sheep and goat pox.

 A total number of 503,603 doses were administered against the CCPP disease, 1,122,195 doses against foot and mouth disease and 1,103,459 doses against PPR disease.

Also, veterinary clinics have implemented the spraying campaign during the months of September and November. This includes spraying of animals and their ranches to get rid of external parasites that infect animals and cause transmission of disease. This process will also take place during the months of April and May 2012.

These campaigns implemented by ADFCA  focus on key aspects of sustainable livestock production in the emirate, such as increasing and improving the local production of livestock, breeding and genetic strains and other matters related to animal wealth.

Saeed Jasem Mohamed, Acting Director of Communication and Community Service at ADFCA: �ADFCA is putting all its efforts in supporting livestock, preventing and monitoring diseases and controlling proliferation. This is achieved through campaigns and prevention programs such as immunization campaign for animals against epidemic diseases, which aims to raise the animals� immunity and prevent infection�

�ADFCA�s veterinary staff are ready to provide medical advice and guidance for livestock breeders and stakeholders in order to raise their awareness, thus contributing effectively to the prevention of various diseases and epidemics that infect animals. ADFCA is committed to providing all the services according to the best standards and practices for livestock breeders in order to achieve sustainable development of the livestock sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi," he added.

The previous two annual immunization campaigns against infectious diseases of animals have achieved their objectives in reducing and controlling the number of diseases. This was achieved through improving the livestock�s immunity to protect themselves from diseases that may be transmitted to humans, as well as reduce extra-cost of veterinary services caused by the excessive use of drugs and treatments and reduce the negative impact of drugs on the human residues.

During the first campaign carried out in 2009-2010, more than 8 million doses were provided against six different diseases which include: two doses of FMD, sheep and goat pox, PPR, two CCPP doses and intestinal poisoning and septicemia. During the second campaign which lasted from September 2010 to April 2011, vaccinations were administered against four diseases: two doses of FMD, sheep and goat pox, PPR and two CCPP doses. Approximately 5 million doses of immunization have been administered in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.