Livestock plays an essential part in the lives of farmers in Bhutan and the South Asia region. Outbreaks of transboundary animal diseases such as African swine fever, foot and mouth disease, Peste des Petits Ruminants, and lumpy skin disease impact the livelihoods of farmers in the region. To support and strengthen disease control and eradication strategies through experience and information sharing, veterinary officials from South Asian countries, stakeholders and experts from around the globe are attending the first South Asia Transboundary Animal Diseases coordination meeting in Paro. The five-day meeting began yesterday.
Transboundary animal diseases can rapidly spread to new areas and regions regardless of national borders.
According to experts, with globalisation, the associated risk of transboundary animal diseases is increasing at an unprecedented rate causing significant socio-economic and public health consequences.
The coordination meeting in Paro discussed how transboundary animal diseases in the region can be effectively controlled.
Those diseases cross national borders easily, so collaboration among member countries is most important. International organisations like the Food and Agriculture Organisation and the World Organisation of Animal Health jointly work to support the member countries,” said Dr Hirofumi Kugita, regional representative for Asia and Pacific, World Organisation for Animal Health.
Bhutan recorded 10 outbreaks of Peste des Petits Ruminants, a disease which affects goats and sheep between 2010 and 2020. While in 2021 there were 27 outbreaks of foot and mouth disease.
Similarly, 428 cases of lumpy skin disease were detected since 2020. Most of these cases were reported in the southern districts.
Officials from the department of livestock say that in Bhutan it is small-scale farmers that raise livestock and for them the socio-economic impact of such outbreaks is huge.
“We have a target on Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), a small ruminant pest. The target is to eliminate PPR from the globe by 2030. But foot and mouth disease is more difficult to eradicate. It could take longer,” added Dr Hirofumi.
The ongoing meeting will study a way forward to control and eradicate three transboundary diseases, which are foot and mouth disease, Peste des Petits Ruminants and lumpy skin disease.
A similar meeting will be organised to combat African swine fever.
Namgay Wangchuk, Paro
Edited by Sherub Dorji
