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Foot and mouth disease kills over 4,000 animals in Egypt
23.03.2012 09:36 "Agro Perspectiva" (Kyiv) —
An outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Egypt has killed more than 4,000 animals, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
FAO says urgent action is required to control the disease and prevent its spread which could have serious implications for food security in North Africa and the Middle East.
The agency is warning that 6.3 million buffalo and cattle and 7.5 million sheep and goats are at risk in Egypt.
Juan Lubroth, FAOs Veterinary Officer says the situation is very serious because of what he calls «some exotic» foot and mouth disease viruses for which available vaccines are not effective.
«We at least know over 45,000 cases with about 10 per cent mortality. That means around 4,500 deaths because foot and mouth disease is known to usually not cause deaths in older animals but the younger animals, the calves, or the lambs or the kids, they can die due to cardiac failure,» admits Lubroth.
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