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🇻🇪 Venezuela /Health & Science

Venezuela launches foot-and-mouth disease vaccination drive for international certification

From El Nacional · (13m ago) Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Venezuela has begun its first vaccination cycle against foot-and-mouth disease, aiming to achieve international certification as a country free of the illness.
  • Minister Vladimir Padrino López stated that sanctions have hindered progress, but Venezuela has not reported cases since 2013.
  • The vaccination campaign, involving over 150 veterinarians, will conclude on June 15, with a plan signed by government and private sectors to guide the process.

Venezuela is taking a significant step towards regaining its international standing in animal health with the commencement of a nationwide vaccination campaign against foot-and-mouth disease. This initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, is crucial for obtaining certification from the World Organisation for Animal Health, a goal that has been hampered by external pressures.

The sanctions against Venezuela have been an obstacle to advancing this certification.

— Vladimir Padrino LópezThe Minister of Agriculture and Lands commented on the challenges faced in obtaining international certification for being free of foot-and-mouth disease.

Minister Vladimir Padrino López highlighted the challenges posed by sanctions, yet underscored the nation's resilience and success in preventing outbreaks since 2013. This sustained effort demonstrates Venezuela's commitment to agricultural safety and its capacity to manage animal health despite economic adversies.

The country has not presented cases of this disease since 2013.

— Vladimir Padrino LópezThe Minister of Agriculture and Lands highlighted Venezuela's success in controlling foot-and-mouth disease.

The comprehensive plan, developed in collaboration with the private sector and supported by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), outlines a clear roadmap. The involvement of over 150 veterinarians from the National Institute of Agricultural Health (Insai) ensures widespread coverage and effective implementation of the vaccination cycle, which is set to conclude by June 15.

This first cycle will conclude on June 15.

— Wilmer AlcázarThe national director of integral animal health detailed the timeline for the vaccination campaign.

This campaign is not merely a public health measure; it is a strategic move to bolster Venezuela's agricultural trade and food security. Foot-and-mouth disease poses a severe threat to international commerce and domestic production of meat and milk, impacting economies and livelihoods. By eradicating this threat, Venezuela aims to reopen markets and ensure a stable supply of essential food products, particularly for vulnerable populations who are disproportionately affected by such diseases.

The plan proposes a roadmap through animal vaccination.

— Diego Vialli Dos SantosAn advisor from the Pan American Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Veterinary Public Health Center of PAHO explained the strategy for certification.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Nacional in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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