Ministry of Agriculture denies widespread epidemic outbreak of lumpy skin disease: No abnormal hotspots detected
Cairo – Khadija Hamouda
The Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation has denied rumors circulating on certain websites and social media platforms regarding a widespread outbreak of “lumpy skin disease” or the recording of abnormal mortality rates among livestock. In an official statement, the ministry affirmed that these claims are baseless and not supported by any field data or official indicators, emphasizing that the epidemiological surveillance system continuously monitors the situation on a regular basis across all governorates and has not detected any abnormal epidemic foci.
The ministry clarified that the state implemented a broad national vaccination campaign this year against lumpy skin disease and sheep pox, successfully administering vaccines to approximately 4 million head of livestock across various governorates of the republic. This effort constitutes the first line of defense in boosting the preventive immunity of the national herd and limiting the chances of pathogen spread.
It further confirmed that investigation teams affiliated with the General Organization for Veterinary Services intensified their proactive field operations during the first half of the current year, conducting over 90,000 field visits that included villages, markets, and farms throughout the republic. This system also ensures immediate and rapid intervention to handle any suspected individual cases in accordance with approved veterinary and scientific protocols, alongside ongoing routine examinations, sample collection, and analysis at the ministry’s central laboratories.
The ministry stressed that preventive vaccination represents the primary shield for protecting livestock assets and maintaining sector stability, based on the principle that “prevention is better than cure,” to avoid the economic losses resulting from infections or mortality. It noted that regular vaccination contributes to enhancing immunity, reducing the likelihood of infection, mitigating disease severity, and lowering losses.
The ministry appealed to breeders to respond positively and promptly to the national campaigns launched by the state, and to take advantage of the sovereign and safe vaccines provided at reduced, subsidized prices to alleviate the burden on small-scale breeders. It emphasized that vaccinating livestock is the fundamental guarantee for achieving herd immunity within the national flock and blocking the path of any pathogens.
The Ministry of Agriculture called on all breeders and livestock owners to promptly report any clinical symptoms or suspected cases to the nearest veterinary unit or by directly contacting the dedicated hotline at 19561, to ensure rapid examination and the implementation of necessary measures. It underscored the importance of obtaining information from official sources and avoiding being misled by rumors to ensure the stability of this vital sector.
