Guyana has maintained its status as foot-and-mouth disease free, according to surveillance studies done here between December 2011 and February 2012, through collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture, PAHO/WHO and PANAFTOSA, a Brazilian laboratory for animal health.
However, by the end of this year the Ministry of Agriculture hopes to develop local capacity to test for FMD, Minister of Agriculture Dr. Leslie Ramsammy said in a press release.
Dr Ramsammy said: “Although the actual testing for FMD had to be done inthe laboratories of PANAFTOSA in Brazil, by the end of this year the Ministry of Agriculture hopes to develop local capacity to test for FMD in our Animal Health Laboratory.”
PANAFTOSA will assist Guyana to establish this capacity and help also in certifying the country’s Animal Health Laboratory.
He also observed that Guyana’s cattle industry enjoys the coveted status of being free from foot-and-mouth disease without the use of vaccines and this success in disease control among the country’s cattle is a result of a very effective surveillance programme.
Guyana is also now ensuring the implementation of control programmes for brucellosis and bovine TB.
The agriculture minister noted that as part of Guyana’s commitment to ensure a reliable supply of safe and healthy beef and to comply with its obligations to the OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health) as it relates to the disease free status, it is imperative that regular surveillance activities be carried out and the results documented and submitted to the relevant agencies.
It is also important, he added, that surveillance results be communicated to the farmers and citizens.
Giving a background to the surveillance activities, Dr Ramsammy said that sample collections were conducted in Regions Nine and Six from December 2011 to February 2012, and involved the taking of blood specimens from animals in these regions.
Officers from the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) Head Office, laboratory and regional staff participated in these exercises. The groups were subdivided into three teams to cover the three sub- districts in each region.
A total of 825 blood samples were collected while serum from each sample was processed and then stored prior to dispatch to Brazil.
The serum samples obtained from animals in Regions Six and Nine were taken to the PANAFTOSA Laboratory in Brazil for further testing by the veterinary officer in charge of the laboratory, Dr. Dane Hartley.
Dr. Hartley participated in the processing and testing of the samples and all of the samples were non-reactive (negative) for foot-and-mouth disease.
In FMD testing, test results are expressed as T/C values. Values below 0.8 T/C are negative for FMD. Values equal to or greater than 0.8 T/C are suspicious for FMD. All specimens from Guyana tested below 0.8, the release stated.
Collaboration between the GLDA and PAHO/WHO has led to a successful outcome in terms of having the analysis done at a reputable laboratory.
“We are proud of our partnership with PANAFTOSA, one of the growing Guyana-Brazil Partnership initiatives,” the agriculture minister said.
Through this partnership, he added, Guyana is building capacity for the development of strong animal disease surveillance programmes.
FMD
Foot-and-Mouth Disease or Hoof-and-Mouth Disease is an infectious and sometimes fatal viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals, including domestic and wild bovids. Cattle, sheep, goats and swine, all economic species, are affected.
Guyana’s passive surveillance programme includes strict monitoring of all ports of entry. At such ports, no animal or animal products are allowed to enter into Guyana without a valid import permit from the Animal Health Unit, GLDA, Ministry of Agriculture.
It is a policy decision of Guyana not to import animals or animal products from countries affected by foot and mouth disease. Some of the products used for disinfection at these ports are Virkon-S and Biocide (viricide).
The susceptible livestock population is approximately 40,000.
Of this 40,000, 35,000 are cattle and the remaining 5,000 are small ruminants. Region Nine is equipped with one central abattoir which is located in Lethem within close proximity of the central marketing centres. Animal movement is only permitted within Region Nine.
The mode of transport of animals is overland and requires a permit to that effect. This permit would have to be presented at every police station along the desired route.
These animals have to be transported during the day (6:00 am – 6:00 pm) and it is illegal to transport animals during the night (6:00 pm – 6:00 am).
Meanwhile, Dr Ramsammy said that the staff of the GLDA must be commended for their efforts to ensure Guyana remains free of this devastating disease.
In addition, he also congratulated Dr. Dindial Permaul, the Chief Executive Officer of the GLDA, the veterinarians who work with the GLDA and the surveillance and laboratory staff of the GLDA for “their excellent work in maintaining a strong surveillance of foot-and mouth disease in Guyana.”
