Yemen requires YR 22 billion to combat myiasis [Archives:2008/1135/Front Page]
By: Almigdad Dahesh Mojalli
SANA'A, March 5 ) According to an official, Yemen needs YR 22 billion ($110 million) to fight myiasis, also known as fly-strike or fly-blown, which appeared a month ago in Sa'ada, Hajjah and Hodeidah governorates.
Dr. Ghalib Al-Eryani, general manager of the Agriculture Ministry's Animal Wealth Administration, stated to the Yemen Times that the ministry last week presented a YR 700-million plan to the Yemeni Cabinet regarding preventing the disease's spread; however, the Cabinet allocated only YR 50 million.
According to Wikipedia.org, myiasis is an animal or human disease caused by parasitic dipterous fly larvae feeding on a host's necrotic or living tissue. Blowfly strike, also known as myiasis, is a common disease in sheep, especially in areas with hot and wet conditions.
Al-Eryani noted that field teams have been deployed to several districts in Hajjah and Sa'ada governorates to fight the epidemic with the support of the American Development Agency.
“While that agency has committed to covering the printing costs for 20,000 guidance brochures for Yemeni farmers, Yemen still is expecting more aid from various international organizations, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization, or FAO,” Al-Eryani said, further indicating that Yemeni government authorities are dedicated to preparing for a vast campaign to be executed immediately after the necessary requirements are provided.
Al-Eryani stated that an epidemic recording team was deployed to the two governorates following notifications by citizens regarding individuals infected with a strange epidemic a month ago. The team has recorded five human cases and 1,533 animal cases in the two governorates.
Agriculture Ministry sources report that both managers of the Agriculture and Irrigation Office and the Health Office in Hajjah governorate were dismissed from their positions last week following the disease's recent appearance in Hajjah and Sa'ada governorates.
Yemen's Ministry of Health and Environment has appointed Dr. Adel Al-Moayad to replace Hajjah governorate's Health Office manager Dr. Abdulkarim Nassar, while the Agriculture Ministry has appointed Mohammed Al-Shihari to replace Mohammed Al-Nabbous, its former manager in that same governorate. The changes came after the two former managers failed to manage Hajjah governorate's health and agriculture situations following the myiasis outbreak.
Al-Eryani affirmed the importance of equal cooperation between both the government and private citizens in restricting the epidemic – which threatens humans and animals equally – before it spreads to other governorates.
He pointed out that this is the first time Yemen and the Gulf countries have witnessed such an epidemic, further maintaining that it first appeared in Iraq following the entry of U.S. forces into Baghdad. The disease then moved on to Saudi Arabia and Oman.
Al-Eryani clarified that the danger of myiasis stems from its rapid spread, which makes it a fatal epidemic causing tremendous humanitarian and economic losses within a short period.
He added that the epidemic may attack humans directly via flies and may lead to death, particularly among those children living in polluted environments. Additionally, it may attack the elderly unless the larvae are extracted and purified via suitable antibiotics.
According to Al-Eryani, an epidemic could cause losses represented in decreasing an animal's ability to produce milk and meat, in addition to the possibility of animals dying. He added that treating the disease sometimes requires cutting out the infected organ.
“If the epidemic spreads, Yemen will suffer huge economic losses estimated in the billions from animal wealth revenues,” Al-Eryani warned, adding, “We'll lose 18 million battles if the epidemic spreads nationwide.”
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