FAO Vaccinates Over 11 Million Livestock Across Afghanistan to Combat Disease
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) announced that since the beginning of 2024, more than 11.8 million livestock across Afghanistan have been vaccinated. These animals were vaccinated against three major diseases, including foot-and-mouth disease, skin diseases, and peste des petits ruminants.
On Monday, October 12, FAO highlighted in a message on the social media platform X that the goal of this initiative is to prevent the spread of livestock diseases, reduce animal mortality, and protect the livelihoods of people who depend on animal husbandry.
The FAO warned that peste des petits ruminants can cause mortality rates between 50 to 90 percent among animals. Such high death rates pose a significant threat to the economies of families that rely on livestock farming for their survival.
Expressing concern about food security, the organization said that in cooperation with its partner agencies, it is pursuing livestock development and disease control as part of a food security strategy in vulnerable regions of Afghanistan.
While Afghan livestock farmers face severe challenges due to instability, reduced veterinary services, and climate change, Taliban authorities have so far not implemented effective and comprehensive measures to control livestock diseases. Failure to address this issue could result in long-term economic and human losses.
