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Chief Vet argues against foot and
disease vaccine
Responding to enquiries over the availability of a vaccine for foot
and mouth disease, which is currently wreaking havoc across Europe's
farming industry, the Director of Veterinary Services has explained
that the utilisation of such a vaccine is dangerous as its usage
would cause the disease to become endemic.
Those involved in the meat-producing sector are extremely worried,
should an outbreak present itself on the Maltese Islands.
When questioned about the vaccine's availability, Director of Veterinary
Services, Dr Lino Vella, told MaltaToday that the Maltese government
forms part of the International Foot and Mouth Vaccine Bank, and
in any given emergency, the government can order a vaccine, which
arrive in approximately three days.
He explains, "The vaccine would get to Malta three days from
the day we order it. During that time span, the Bank will produce
the required amount of vaccine and send it over to us," he
added, stressing that the vaccine was not a solution and would only
be used in times of emergency.
In 1994, when there was a foot and mouth disease outbreak in Libya
and Tunisia, close to our shores, the Department of Veterinary Services
had carried out the necessary control and monitoring measures on
local livestock, without using the vaccine.
However, the vaccine is not a solution, according to Dr Vella, "Economically,
the vaccine can affect the production of meat and animal products,
such as milk, bringing a decrease of up to 20 per cent in output.
In addition, the vaccine can cover up the disease and the animals
affected by it, without eradicating the disease."
The Director of Veterinary Services warned that the unscientific
use of the vaccine could be dangerous because it can make the disease
endemic.
"This means that foot and mouth will become part of the environment.
Then, when an animal is under stress, as when it is giving birth,
it would relapse into the disease, causing another outbreak, taking
us back to square one," he explained.
Dr Vella stressed that, despite the sizeable outbreak in the United
Kingdom, the vaccine has not yet been used, "If and when the
vaccine is to be used is strictly a scientific decision. Should
the local situation call for this, the Department of Veterinary
Services will set up teams purposefully for the vaccination. However,
this decision depends on the severity and widespread of the disease,
the type of animals infected, the area of the outbreak, as well
as a number of other factors," he added.
When asked about precautions being taken to prevent the foot and
mouth disease from spreading onto our shores, Dr Vella emphasised
that the Veterinary Services Department is on alert, sampling and
carrying out tests in order to be able to take action should tests
reveal traces of the disease.
Dr Vella informed MaltaToday that the Department of Veterinary Services
has sent circulars to all farmers reminding them of the precautions
that must be taken to ensure the well-being of the farm and its
livestock.
"These precautions should be taken on a daily basis, but are
especially important in the context of the current situation,"
he stressed.
Dr Vella explained that such precautions include prohibiting entry
to cars that have been in contact with other farms, not allowing
visitors to enter the farm, ensuring cleanliness around the farm
and also in animal feed.
Precautions being taken across the island, in a bid to prevent the
disease from being imported from abroad include special disinfected
carpets at the airport, as well as at the ports, thanks to a new
order issued by Malta Maritime Authority. The port measures will
also affect visitors from the British South Hampton ship, set to
enter local waters in the coming days.
Second hand cars coming from abroad are also being disinfected.
Dr Vella assured that a programme of precautions is being implemented,
while a detailed contingency plan is in hand, should an emergency
take place.
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