Through imminent simulation exercise…
GUYANA which, some nine years ago, was certified free of the deadly Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) will, however, test its  preparedness for any such eventuality, with a simulation exercise to be conducted in  Region Nine ( Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo ) from December 13 to 17. Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon made the announcement at his post-Cabinet media briefing yesterday.
He said, among those participating, will be the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (UNFAO), United States Department for Agriculture (USDA) and the Office International des Épizooties (OIE), as well as law enforcement and State agencies in Region Nine.

Luncheon said the precautionary steps are being taken against the background that the disease, which affects mostly animals, is endemic in neighbouring countries.

He did not confirm or deny whether the decision to take part had any relation to the opening of the Takutu Bridge which links Guyana and Brazil, allowing for easier travel by both pedestrians and motor vehicles.

However, Luncheon reminded that not only FMD but other diseases could be transmitted here, as well.

FMD, also called ‘Hoof and Mouth Disease’ (Aphtae epizooticae), is a highly contagious and, sometimes, fatal viral disease which affects cloven hoofed animals  such as cows, sheep, goats and pigs and is caused by the FMD virus.

In 2001, this country was certified free of FMD by the International Office of Epizootics (OIE) clearing a major hurdle in the resumption of beef exports, at the 69th Annual General Meeting of the OIE International Committee, in Paris, France.

That certification was communicated to then Minister of Fisheries, Crops and Livestock, the late Mr. Satyadeow ‘Sash’ Sawh.

Previously, there had been isolated cases of FMD in the Rupununi savannahs, the last of which occurred in 1978 and a ban had been placed on the export of beef from Guyana.

In 1997, Guyana having ensured that certain prerequisites were in place, applied, the same year, to become a member of the OIE.
But, following  an outbreak of FMD in several European countries during the first quarter of 2001,Guyana took a number of preventative measures, including the sanitisation of footwear and other imports entering the country at all major ports of entry.

In addition, FMD camps were established at all border crossings for the purpose of also disinfecting motor vehicles wheels and no fresh or processed meat from affected countries were allowed into this country.