Attempts to eradicate foot and mouth disease in the Gaza Strip
Veterinarian control in the Gaza Strip has severely deteriorated since Hamas terrorist organization takeover of the Gaza Strip by force and since the establishment of the economy of the Gaza Strip on smuggling and infiltration. Currently, the Gaza Strip is more exposed than before to entry and smuggling of animals infected with various diseases, without any possibility of providing proper care.
Date: 10.04.13 Author: Menachem Adoni
"Gaza is recognized for many years by the Veterinary as an area stricken by disease, as a result of livestock arriving mainly from Africa and carry various kinds of diseases," said Agriculture officer in Gaza, Uri Madar. "Israel has always known to defend itself through a control system that was stationed at the Rafah crossing and did not allow the entry of animals into the Gaza Strip. Following breaking of the mantle since the rise of the Hamas terrorist organization, animal carrying various diseases are being entered into the Strip," Madar noted and explained. "During the last two months there has been entry of a large number of head of cattle from Egypt. The heads of cattle were sick and so basically the disease broke”, he explained.
Foot and mouth disease is a viral disease, and is one of the most infectious diseases in animals. The disease occurs throughout the world and is characterized by periodic outbreaks every few years. The virus that causes the disease is transmitted through direct contact and indirectly through discharge of infected animals. This disease almost never affects humans, and when it infects humans its impact is marginal.
The District Coordination Offices (DCO) in Gaza, through the agricultural officer, transferred to the farmers in Gaza clear guidelines for the treatment of infected animals diagnosed with the disease. The DCO also transferred recently tens of thousands of drugs and vaccines to all livestock system in Gaza.
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The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories Unit (COGAT) is responsible for implementing the government's policy in Judea and Samaria and vis-à-vis the Gaza Strip. In addition, COGAT constitutes the civilian authority for residential zoning and infrastructure and is responsible for addressing the needs of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. |
Country: Israel
Subject: Access and movement, Agriculture, Economic issues, Food, Gaza Strip, Health
Publication Date: 10/04/2013