Thumbnail Image

Technical Emergency Support on FMD Surveillance and Control in Mauritius - TCP/MAR/3803​

Year of publication 2025

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 7

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Project

Synopsis (short abstract) Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious disease that affects cloven-footed animals such as cattle, pigs, sheep, goats and deer. The disease is caused by a virus and has a significant economic impact. FMD is considered as one of the most important transboundary animal diseases (TAD), significantly reducing livestock production and hampering regional and international trade. The disease can cause high morbidity in naïve populations and high economic losses to the country in terms of international trade. Mauritius was considered historically free of FMD before June 2016. Unfortunately, the virus re-entered Rodrigues Island which later spread to Mauritius, resulting in the deaths of 710 cattle, 1 472 sheep and goats and 214 pigs, loss of meat and milk production and disruption of the international trade. In this context The Livestock and Veterinary Department (LVD) with the support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), aimed to control FMD and also to minimize the risk of further spread of the disease into the territory of Mauritius. To this end, a vaccination programme was designed to be implemented in both Mauritius and the Rodrigues Islands.

Language English

Also available in:
No results found.

Related items

Showing items related by metadata.

  • Thumbnail Image
    Project
    Emergency Support for the Control of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Malawi - TCP/MLW/3901 2025
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    The agriculture sector in Malawi employs over three quarters of the total population, generating over 80 percent of national export earnings and contributing 23 percent of GDP. Official records from the Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development (DAHLD) indicate that livestock accounts for a significant proportion (around 80 percent) of food for rural families in the country, as well as a livelihood alternative. With commercial traders accounting for only 15 percent of all livestock owners, a large proportion of owners practise subsistence livestock farming, often under communal grazing. In this context, animal diseases have a significant impact upon the country’s rural economies and livelihoods, making it critical to prevent and manage outbreaks. In Malawi, different transboundary animal diseases (TADs) such as Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) and African swine fever virus (ASFV) have the potential to affect thousands of small-scale farmers and animal-rearing communities, while having broader repercussions on the country’s economy, trade and food security. Control of TADs requires cooperation and collaboration at different levels and with neighbouring countries, in order to curb risks and mitigate the negative consequences of outbreaks at regional level. In an effort to protect the livestock sector, the DAHLD sought the technical and financial assistance of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to contain the outbreak of FMD caused by serotype O, which had occurred for the first time in Malawi.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Project
    Technical Support to Set Up a Central Database for Livestock to Render the Sector Climate Resilient and Enhance Animal Production in the Republic of Mauritius - TCP/MAR/3802 2024
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    The livestock sector in the Republic of Mauritius is currently facing several significant challenges that could severely impact its sustainability and growth if not addressed promptly. One of the most pressing issues is the lack of effective monitoring of livestock health and productivity, which is crucial for ensuring the sector's viability. The current system for identifying and tracing livestock is outdated, relying on conventional tagging methods that have proven insufficient for maintaining accurate and timely records. This shortage has delayed the Ministry's ability to efficiently allocate resources and provide adequate support to farmers, causing in stagnation within the sector. The existing animal register system has shown its limitations, particularly during the recent outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Mauritius. The inability to trace and monitor livestock in real-time contributed to the rapid spread of the disease, causing significant economic losses and demoralizing farmers, especially those with limited resources. Moreover, the lack of continuous monitoring has prevented small-scale farmers from accessing new market opportunities, such as those in the tourism industry, exports, and value-added activities, which are currently prioritized by the government.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Project
    Integrated National Emergency Response to Avian Influenza in the Gambia - TCP/GAM/3803 2024
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    The agriculture sector in the Gambia typically contributes up to 30 percent of national gross domestic product, although in recent years this has declined to 22 percent. The sector provides employment for up to 75 percent of the population, meets approximately half of national food requirements and accounts for 70 percent of exports. As a low-income, food-deficient country, the Gambia is characterized by a high degree of food insecurity and high malnutrition rates. The latest demographic data indicate that the country has 19 percent stunting (chronic undernutrition), 6.2 percent wasting (acute undernutrition) and 13.9 percent underweight among children under five years of age. The Government is thus highly committed to addressing food and nutrition issues. The poultry industry offers food security opportunities and employment for the most vulnerable populations. As a result, increased poultry production and productivity provide a platform for youth and women employment, income generation, poverty reduction and the attainment of food self-sufficiency. However, poultry farmers are challenged by competition from cheap imported products, the high cost of production inputs, the high mortality of chicks and a lack of production techniques. To improve their livelihoods, farmers need inputs, routine disease control and other veterinary services, advisory services and training.
Show more

Users also downloaded

Showing related downloaded files

No results found.