By Amanda Wilson
Guyana Chronicle
March 16, 2001

WITH the threat of the dreaded `foot and mouth' and `mad cow' (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy) diseases creeping closer to the region, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is taking steps to map out risk management strategies.

The Community is to hold a meeting here for joint regional veterinary officers and public health officers on March 27 at the CARICOM Secretariat.

The aim of the meeting is to formulate a regional initiative to tackle the diseases. Earlier this week, traces of `foot and mouth' were found in Argentina, the world's number five meat exporter.

Argentina is the second largest country (1,068,301 square miles) in Latin America and occupies most of the southern portion of the South American continent.

At a press briefing at the CARICOM Secretariat yesterday, Mr Byron Blake, Assistant Secretary-General of Regional Trade and Economic Integration, confirmed that neither of the two diseases has reached the region.

However, he stressed that even though some Caribbean states like Barbados, Jamaica, Antigua and Bermuda and Trinidad and Tobago are now taking preventative measures, a common and coordinated approach must be undertaken in order to effectively prevent the diseases from entering the region.

These countries, including Guyana, have banned the importation of meat, meat products and tyres and have set up foot bath facilities at airports.

In the United Kingdom tens of thousands of affected cattle are being burnt. Large importers, including the United States, have since banned the importation of meat, milk, meat products, breeding animals and live animals from the U.K.

Blake explained that the `foot and mouth' disease only affects livestock including cattle, sheep and swine. However, it is regarded as potentially damaging to the economies of CARICOM states.

`Foot and mouth' spreads rapidly and infected animals must be destroyed by burning expeditiously in order to prevent and control the spread of the disease, Blake noted. The disease can also be carried on clothing, utensils, shoes and baggage.

Blake said the Caribbean, being a major tourist destination, is also exposed to the `mad cow' disease.

The `mad cow' disease can affect humans and is spread through contaminated meat, human protein, animal products and animal feeds of animal origin.

Some of the Caribbean's major imports come from Europe and Argentina and Blake said the Community has established trading partners with the U.K and other European countries and possibly with others which have trade links with the U.K.

"For the Caribbean...there are really three major corridors of potential difficulties. We have a very high perpetuity for imports of meat, meat products and livestock, including recent stock, including breeding stocks", Blake said.

"We have to look at the overall strategy. One of the objectives of the meeting is to develop a much more coordinated approach to how we deal with the question of banning", Blake added.

He said that significant cooperation is needed from CARICOM members states and the general public, including the business community.

Mr Ronald Gordon, Deputy Programme Manager of Agricultural Development said that Guyana and Jamaica are the only two CARICOM states which have related emergency preparedness programmes.

Another area slated for discussion at the meeting is the development of such programmes throughout the Community so that the region can effectively deal with the diseases if traces are found, Gordon noted.

A Ministry of Fisheries, Crops and Livestock statement issued yesterday said that in May Guyana is expected to be certified free of the `foot and mouth' disease by the World Health Organisation for Animal Health (Office International des Epizooties) (OIE).

The OIE is the international body recognised by the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

The statement noted that the following measures have been put in place:

* increased surveillance at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri and other points of entry

* the suspension of imports of meat and meat products, cattle, sheep, goat and pigs, semen and dairy products from the European Union

* meat products must be inspected by the Animal and Plant Health Officer

* passengers who visited livestock farms within 14 days prior to their arrival must inform the Quarantine Officer

* each passenger must ensure ticket covers are stamped by a quarantine officer before leaving the airport

* all animal feeds must be inspected by a quarantine officer

* footwear of all arriving passengers will be disinfected through the use of a blanket saturated with an appropriate disinfectant

Ministry officials have also embarked on a massive public awareness programme to sensitise persons about the diseases through billboards, the public address system at the airport, incoming flights and radio, television and newspaper notices.

The public is urged to comply with the new regulations being implemented.

Dr Winston Laurence, Chief Veterinary Officer of the Ministry of Fisheries, Crops and Livestock said the `foot and mouth' disease last hit Guyana in 1978.

Symptoms include blisters on the mouth, tongue, between the hoofs and gum, high fever, loss of appetite, and inability to walk.

Laurence explained that the disease is caused by a virus and once infected, animals will die within a few days.

He stressed that members of the public need to follow guidelines because Guyana's cattle industry is vulnerable due to the recent rabies outbreak.

Earlier this year, more than 60 heads of cattle died from rabies in Region Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands).

Rabies has since been nixed and a bat trapping exercise is being executed in that area to get rid of the carrier, the vampire bat.

Caption CARICOM Secretary General, Mr Edwin Carrington, fourth from left, and Head of the CARICOM Observing Mission, Justice Carl Rattray, fifth from left, at the press briefing yesterday. Officials also addressed the Mission for Monday's general elections here.