FMD Outbreak in Bhutan Kills Dairy Cows, Calves
BHUTAN - Dr Tashi Samdup, Director General at the Department of Livestock under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, has reported an outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in a town called Samdrup Jongkhar.
22 September 2017
1 minute read
The outbreak was initially observed on 31 March and confirmed on 4 September after a serotyping test was carried out at the The Pirbright Institute. The causal agent was identified as FMD virus (lineage G-VII), serotype A.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) reports that the affected population comprises 21 dairy cows and 21 calves that were imported into the country for breeding. Out of the 42 susceptible animals, 11 cases and deaths were recorded.
According to the OIE, the animals were given a supportive antibiotic treatment and released after fulfilment of the quarantine period and when they had clinically recovered from the infection as per national regulations.
Legal movement of animals and animals in transit have been identified as the source of the outbreak.
The OIE, in conjunction with the Bhutanese veterinary authorities, have applied several control measures to prevent further outbreaks:
- Movement control inside the country
- Screening
- Quarantine
- Disinfection
- Vaccination permitted (provided a vaccine exists)
The affected animals did not receive treatment.
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