UAE to develop national plan to fight zoonotic diseases, pandemics

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UAE, develop, national plan, fight, zoonotic diseases, pandemics,

Dubai - About 58 per cent of infectious diseases in humans are zoonotic - illnesses caused by germs that are passed between animals and people.

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A Staff Reporter

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Published: Sat 4 Jul 2020, 3:00 PM

Last updated: Sat 4 Jul 2020, 5:43 PM

With 73 per cent of emerging diseases known to transmit between humans and animals, the UAE is developing a national plan for fighting zoonotic diseases and pandemics. About 58 per cent of infectious diseases in humans are zoonotic - illnesses caused by germs that are passed between animals and people.
The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) will lead the development and implementation of the plan with the support of other relevant entities.
This came as the National Biosecurity Committee held its second meeting of 2020, presided over by Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment.
Early notification system to report locust sightings
The MOCCAE said it has developed an early notification system to report locust sightings. The 'early biosecurity notification system' is among the steps the ministry has taken to deal with the desert locust situation in the country.
Other steps include monitoring the movement of locust swarms; informing the entities concerned about the results of the monitoring exercise and of the status of the outbreak in neighbouring countries; and conducting pest control operations at farms when needed.
Current climatic conditions have helped an outbreak of locusts advance across East Africa, Southwest Asia, and the Red Sea coastal areas.
The desert locust is known for its ability to cover tremendous distances while flying at great speeds - up to 17 hours non-stop per day, to be precise. It is an international scourge and a threat to agricultural production and food security, as a single square kilometre swarm can destroy the equivalent of 35,000 individuals' food intake per day.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com 


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