No new FMD cases detected in 72 hours — Agriculture Ministry

AMMAN — There have not been any new cases of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the Kingdom in the past 72 hours, the Ministry of Agriculture announced on Monday.

Approximately 483 cows and 575 calves have died of FMD to date, according to the ministry’s electronic tracking system. Agriculture Ministry Spokesperson Lawrence Majali told The Jordan Times that “ministry cadres are still giving booster doses to cattle, and are constantly following up on the FMD situation in the Kingdom”.

The ministry is publishing a daily FMD report, and continues to follow clear protocol to prevent any further spread of the disease, he added.

Deputy head of the Jordanian Veterinary Association (JVA), Ghadanfar Abu Zneid, told The Jordan Times that “in the last period, mortality rates among cattle were very low”.

“There have not been any new cases the last few days,” he added, noting that the FMD curve has been on a downturn, and recovery percentages are increasing.

Current estimates of losses caused by FMD are around JD40 million, Abu Zneid said.

In a statement sent to The Jordan Times, the Ministry of Agriculture said that livestock markets in all governorates will be open beginning Monday, February 27, for sheep and goat trade. Cattle trade remains suspended in livestock markets, the statement said.