Philippines bans livestock from Zimbabwe

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has barred the entry of animals from Zimbabwe in the wake of an outbreak of the dreaded foot-and-mouth (FMD) disease in a farm close to a wildlife preserve.

Through Memorandum Order 18, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala ordered the ban on imports of FMD-susceptible animals and their by-products from Zimbabwe.

The outbreak was reported by the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) after a report was filed about the incident by the Zimbabwe government.

Dr. Unesu hidah Ushewokunze-Obatolu of the Division of Livestock and Veterinary Services Ministry of Agriculture of Zimbabwe said there was a confirmed clinical case of FMD in the Province of Masvingo, District of Chiredzi, Mkwasine, Zimbabwe.

The clinical manifestation suggestive of FMD was noted to have affected a herd of cattle on self-contained farm close to a wildlife conservancy with wild buffaloes, the official reported.

"The FMD virus serotype, which has not yet been identified, is believed to have been sourced from the wild," he added.

Alcala said he has ordered the ban to protect the health of the local livestock population.

"We need to prevent the entry of FMD and maintain the freedom of the Philippines from this disease," he said.

Alcala also instructed the Bureau of Animal Industry to suspend the processing, evaluation of the application and the issuance of veterinary quarantine clearances for those seeking to import animal products from Zimbabwe.

The Philippines does not usually import livestock and meat products from Zimbabwe.

Shipments of FMD-susceptible animals and by-products originating from the African country will also be stopped and confiscated in all major ports nationwide, Alcala said.

The Philippines is one of the few countries that the OIE or World Organization of Animal Health has certified to be FMD-free without vaccination.