Volume: 230, Published: 4 July 2023
DISEASE OUTBREAKS
Nepal: Lumpy skin disease (LSD) kills 11,000 livestock in Sudurpaschim province
Date: 3 July 2023; Disease: LSD; Location: Dhangadhi, Sudurpaschim province, Nepal
LSD has rapidly spread throughout Sudurpaschim Province, causing the death of approximately 11,000 animals. The outbreak has affected all nine districts, with Doti, Achham, and Bajhang being the most impacted areas, particularly those along the Indian border. The Livestock Disease Research Laboratory in Dhangadi confirmed that Sudurpaschim Province had witnessed higher number of infected animals compared to other provinces. Currently, out of the 298,000 infected animals in the province, more than 10,900 have succumbed to the disease. Around 12.7 per cent of the total population of 1,582,000 cows and buffaloes in the province have been infected. Read more at The Himalayan Times. Titled No treatment or relief for farmers affected by LSD, Kantipur reports that the disease which was first confirmed in March 2019 has spread like an epidemic. 25,408 animals have died in 3 and a half months due to this disease which has spread in 76 districts. The disease has spread to 68,280 animals. Out of that, 247,497 animals have active infection, according to the Animal Department. Read more at Kantipur (Nepali).
India: After lumpy skin disease (LSD), Glanders virus hits Punjab, Himachal and Haryana
Date: 2 July 2023; Disease: Glanders; Location: Punjab, Himachal and Haryana, India
After LSD, now Glanders virus has hit Punjab. Within a few days, after Bathinda, this virus that sick horses fall sick with, has now taken Amritsar and Ludhiana under its ambit. As this dangerous virus spreads very fast, the Animal Husbandry Department has issued a notification declaring 5 km radius of the virus infected area in Bathinda and Ludhiana. The department has declared 25 km radius as a screening zone, whereas physical/sero surveillance has been started in the radius outside 25 km of screening zone. The first case of Glanders was reported in Hoshiarpur’s BSF in February 2023, but two new cases have been confirmed within a few days in May. Glanders is a dangerous disease, and when the virus is confirmed, there is no option but to kill the infected horse by giving it an injection. This is done so that the virus does not infect other animals or transmits in humans. Read more at Sunday Guardian.
Philippines: Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 outbreak
Date: 30 June 2023; Disease: HPAI (H5N1); Location: Brgy. Manacsac, Guimba, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
Ten birds were confirmed positive for HPAI (H5N1) in an outbreak in backyard duck farm. 2200 birds were killed and disposed of in the incident. Official report shared with the WOAH adds that the farm is located near rice fields which are frequented by migratory birds. Read more at WOAH.
Afghanistan: Increasing number of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) outbreaks
Date: 30 June 2023; Disease: CCHF; Location: Herat province and other locations,
Afghanistan has witnessed a significant rise in CCHF cases in the past two months, with Herat province bearing the brunt. The outbreak has triggered concerns about the rapid spread of the disease and its devastating consequences. As authorities grapple with the outbreak, the number of fatalities due to CCHF continues to rise. The outbreak has extended its reach beyond Herat, with Takhar province reporting three cases, one of which resulted in a fatality. Shockingly, over the past week, more than 90 individuals across the country have fallen ill with CCHF. This sudden surge has put health authorities on high alert. Read more at Outlook India.
Indonesia: African swine fever (ASF) outbreak in Sulawesi
Date: 28 June 2023; Disease: ASF; Location: Sulawesi Barat, Indonesia
ASF was confirmed in 33 domestic swine. Read more at FAO Empres-i.
Indonesia: Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak
Date: 28 June 2023; Disease: HPAI; Location: Banten, Indonesia
12 domestic birds of unspecified species were confirmed positive for HPAI in a recent outbreak in Banten. Read more at FAO Empres-i.
India: African swine fever (ASF) detected in Kerala
Date: 27 June 2023; Disease: ASF; Location: Idukki, Kerala, India
As many as 43 pigs on a farm where ASF outbreak was detected were culled in Idukki. Officials confirmed the ASF outbreak a private pig farm at Padamukham under Vathikudy panchayat near Cheruthoni in Idukki after receiving the test results. The district collector, who is also the chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority, ordered immediate culling of the pigs and burying of carcasses to contain the disease from spreading. Areas within a radius of 10 km of the epicenter have been declared as surveillance areas. Read more at The Hindu.
NEWS AND UPDATES
India: Pork trade from adjoining states banned in Arunachal after mysterious pig deaths
Date: 29 June 2023; Location: Tirap distrcit, Arunachal Pradesh, India
Around 30 pigs have died under mysterious circumstances in a village in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tirap district, causing panic among locals, a senior official shared. The pigs, which were bought to Chomuithong village from Assam, have died recently all of a sudden, the Tirap Deputy Commissioner said. Vets and animal husbandry department officials have been instructed to conduct an investigation to find out the cause of the deaths, the official added. Meanwhile, the district administration has issued an order prohibiting buying of pork from Assam and nearby districts. Last such ban in the state was announced in April 2020 following the African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks in West Kameng, Papum Pare, Leparada, Upper Siang, Lower Siang, East Siang, Lohit, Namsai and Changlang districts. Read more at India Times.
India: Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) control programme implemented in Goa
Date: 27 June 2023; Location: Goa state, India
The department of animal husbandry and veterinary services is implementing FMD control programme under the national animal disease control programme (NADCP) scheme in Goa. This is the third round of vaccinations for the animals. Official statement shared that the state has now supplied FMD vaccines and the vaccination round has to be continued from 1 July to 30 July wherein all efforts are being made to vaccinate all the cattle and buffalo population including stray animals. Read more at Times of India.
Indonesia: 1527 cases of rabies-transmitting animal bites reported in 2023
Date: 27 June 2023; Location: Indonesia
The Jakarta Health Agency recorded at least 1,527 cases of rabies-transmitting animal bites (GHPR) across the capital in 2023. The agency’s head of surveillance and immunization said the data is obtained from two city hospitals. The official asserted that they were not the total number of rabies cases, but the number of people who got bitten by animals that could transmit the fatal viral disease, and added that as a form of prevention and anticipation, the hospital manages every treatment, including administering anti-rabies vaccine. Read more at Tempo.
Disclaimer
Information compiled for the animal disease outbreak is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and is derived from online news items both official and unofficial channels. No claim, representation or warranty of any kind, either express or implied, is made by FAO as to the accuracy, completeness or authenticity of the information on this platform.