Isolated Communities Reached in FMD Vaccination Programme

BRAZIL - A vaccination programme is being tirelessly carried out in the Roraima region on behalf of a partnership of industry regulators in a bid to rid the area of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) including the most remote farming areas in the country.

27 November 2012

2 minute read

South America

Teams from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA), the National Indian Foundation (FUNAI) and the Agricultural Protection Agency of the State of Roraima (ADERR) are covering communities in Raposa Serra Sol in Roraima, to vaccinate all 49,000 head of cattle against FMD.

First visiting the small settlement of Normandy, 265 km from Boa Vista, 175 cattle were vaccinated.

"The programme has brought many benefits for us to ensure that livestock is free of diseases and can be sold anywhere in the state, generating resources for the betterment of our families," said the leader Kuropa, Tuxaua José Constantino.

With the goal of vaccinating all 49 000 cattle in the area of Raposa Serra do Sol, the team's route includes other indigenous communities in the municipalities of Pacaraima and Uiramutã until Dec. 20. This is the third year of the partnership, in which each institution helps with logistics, personnel and vaccine doses.

Vaccination and educating about disease control are the main objectives of a animal health programme that will cover even the most isolated parts of Brazil.

Besides immunization, the team also educates the communities about other cattle diseases and the correct way of treatment. Constantine, who always has vaccinated his herd against FMD, rabies and worms, believes that in a few years the community will have the capacity to immunize all of their cattle.

Coach and coordinator of the vaccination programme, Francis de Sales, said the region of Roraima is strategic as it borders Guyana and Venezuela, areas noted for having FMD issues.

Despite the difficulty of reaching some communities, Mr Sales is pleased with the progress of work. "We often walked miles through fields with strong sun, taking in the boxes of vaccine doses. "We cross rivers as there are no roads. It is very important to note the responsibility of the technicians involved in the programme to meet the targets set to ensure the 100 per cent vaccination, "he concluded.