“Lumpy skin disease” threatens food security, say agricultural experts

Agricultural and veterinary experts have issued warnings that the continued spread of so-called “lumpy skin disease” (LSD) among livestock could threaten food security, along with the livelihoods of thousands of cattle farmers. “Egypt needs to work hard or else there could be serious problems with food security,” said Dr Taleb Ali, regional animal health officer at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation’s Near East office. While LSD cannot be contracted by humans, Ali added, it still constitutes a threat because there are no specific cures for the disease. LSD first struck Egypt in 1988 and quickly spread across the country causing massive economic losses, according to the agriculture ministry. However, the crisis was eventually brought under control by way of government containment measures. However, a new rash of LSD cases that appeared last July has proven more difficult to control. Although over 2.5 million heads of cattle have been vaccinated out of an estimated total of 3.5 million countrywide, the virus has continued to spread. “The vaccines may not be working because we might be dealing with a new, more vicious strain of the disease,” said Ali, who cited a 30 percent mortality rate among infected cattle. According to the agriculture ministry, cases of the disease can now be found across the Nile Delta, and have had adverse economic effects on small farmers. “In affected areas, the price of beef has already suffered massive drops,” said Ali. Lactic products and leather industries have also been affected by LSD. “Once a given cow has been infected, its leather becomes impossible to use,” Ali added. Dr Sami Taha, member of the Egyptian Veterinarians’ Syndicate, explained that the government has only offered compensation to farmers with insurance. “But it’s the small farmers who own no more than one or two cows or buffalo that will feel the losses most deeply,” said Taha. Both Taha and Ali have issued urgent calls for the implementation of more containment measures in the livestock industry, as well as for greater cooperation among relevant sectors. “It’s important that all veterinarians and their respective institutes become involved,” said Ali. Taha called on the government to distribute veterinary professionals across the Egyptian countryside, both to help contain LSD and to guarantee food security. “Without the presence of veterinarians on farms, we cannot guarantee food security for consumers,” Taha said. SA/AR/AM