The Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) has announced the completion of the first stage of the 9th vaccination campaign for the year 2017-2018, which was launched in September. The campaign came within the authority's protective campaigns offered to livestock breeders in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, to protect livestock from infectious diseases affecting animals by reducing epidemic diseases and raising animal's immunity.
The campaign also aimed at reducing the use of veterinary medicines, eradicating epidemic diseases, protecting livestock production, improving the local production of livestock, as well as increasing the economic return to livestock breeders.
In this regard, Thamer Al Qasemi, ADFCA's Spokesperson, stressed that more than 310 thousand of livestock heads were vaccinated against Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR). He pointed out that the campaign targeted animals that have not been vaccinated during the previous campaigns, clarifying that the vaccination against PPR gives animals lifelong- immunity.
Al Qasemi indicated noted that the second stage of the campaign will be launched from October to January 2018. He added that it aims at vaccinating about 1.86 million heads aged more than three months against foot and mouth disease (FMD).
"Since its beginning, the vaccination campaigns have contributed significantly in eradicating smallpox disease by 100%, alleviating of seasonal diseases that may affect livestock and controlling their proliferation. This was achieved through administering more than 50 million doses for livestock in various diseases since the beginning of the campaign in 2009," he stated.
ADFCA's spokesperson stressed the importance of vaccinating livestock according to the vaccination programme approved by ADFCA, which helps to protect animals and reduces epidemic diseases that can infect them. He urged livestock breeders to adhere to ADFCA's awareness programmes and to make sure of the animals' safety before introducing them in the herd to avoid the proliferation of diseases.
He reiterated his call on livestock breeders to co-operate with ADFCA's veterinary staff by arranging for the necessary workers, preparing the animals for the process of vaccination, and numbering before the veterinary doctor's visit to the farm. He added that these measures decrease the exhaustion of animals and help officials to offer the best services.
"The campaign, which continues to the end of May 2018, will vaccinate over three million cattle against aphthous fever, crystalline inflammation and PPR, in line with the national plan for animal health 2015-2025 and ADFCA's strategic plan 2016-2020," Al Qasemi concluded.
