RSOE EDIS: United Arab Emirates - Biological Hazard - 2010.03.29

RSOE Emergency and Disaster Information Service Budapest, Hungary RSOE EDIS ALERTMAIL

2010-03-29 20:03:07 - Biological Hazard - United Arab Emirates EDIS CODE: BH-20100329-25514-ARE Date & Time: 2010-03-29 20:03:07 [UTC] Area: United Arab Emirates, Umm al Qaywayn, , Not confirmed information! Description: Environmental officials have dismissed claims of an outbreak of goat influenza in the [Umm al Qaywayn] emirate following a rash of unexplained deaths in herds. Sultan Abdullah Alwan, the executive director for agricultural and livestock affairs at the Ministry of Environment and Water, said there were no livestock deaths connected to any influenza cases and that instances of goats dying in Umm al Qaywayn should not be exaggerated. His statement came after some livestock owners claimed dozens of goats had died recently because of an unknown disease. Mr Alwan said "weather changes, like a rise in temperature," could be behind the deaths and said it was not an epidemic. He also cautioned livestock owners not to mix sick animals with healthy ones, and encouraged routine visits from a veterinarian. He said the UAE was free of livestock diseases. Some animal keepers are not convinced. [One of them] said she had lost 36 goats in the last 2 months. She claimed all of the animals had been vaccinated. "I have been in livestock for the last 25 years, but not at any time did I see this," she said. "The goats just start coughing, stop eating, and then go into a coma and die." She said a veterinarian had visited her farm twice, diagnosed the goats, and recommended medication. [She] said she had to buy some of the medications from neighbouring emirates and urged the ministry to make more drugs available to cover the whole emirate. [Another farmer] said he had lost 55 goats, all of which had been vaccinated by a ministry veterinarian. At one time, he had 150 goats, but now has fewer than 100. "I believe there is something wrong." He said there is a need for more veterinarians in the emirate. The name of Hazard: Undiagnosed die-off, caprine Species: Animal Status: Suspected Posted:2010-03-29 20:03:07 [UTC] Please DO NOT reply to this message: replies may be treated as errors and result in your subscription being deleted. If you have trouble or other queries, send email to havaria@rsoe.hu RSOE EDIS is operated by the National Association of Radio-Distress Signalling and Infocommunications (RSOE), Budapest, Hungary. Because of the complexity of this system and its dependence on other systems, we cannot be responsible for delays or failures in forwarding or transmission. You're receiving this AlertMail because you subscribed for the service. To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. Contact: havaria@rsoe.hu