The Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) will invest more than A$120 million (nearly $83 million) in biosecurity measures to help tackle animal diseases, such as foot-and-mouth disease ( AF) and lumpy skin disease.
The state government announced on Monday that the investment will provide 65 million Australian dollars (nearly $45 million) for the development of synthetic mRNA vaccines for foot-and-mouth disease and lumpy skin disease, the agency reported. press Xinhua.
It will also include A$55.8 million (nearly $38 million) for a response workforce, disease surveillance and field biosecurity risk mitigation and preparedness activities, such as controlling potentially infected premises and encouraging farmers to strengthen their biosecurity measures.
Deputy First Minister and Regional NSW Minister Paul Toole said current foot-and-mouth disease vaccines are made using the virus itself, meaning that if Australia is to regain free status of foot-and-mouth disease following an outbreak, some vaccinated animals still need to be destroyed.
“The development of a synthetic mRNA vaccine might be the key to Australia applying for FMD free status without having to destroy vaccinated animals. »
“We must be prepared to combat and eradicate any exotic pests and diseases that come to our shores,” said NSW Agriculture Minister Dugald Saunders.
“Our farmers deserve to have the confidence to know if we have an outbreak of foot and mouth disease. »
Foot-and-mouth disease, which attacks cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, pigs, goats and sheep, has been detected in neighboring Indonesia, raising fears the highly contagious animal disease might spread to Australia for the first time in over 130 years.
Australia has taken biosecurity measures, including deploying more biosecurity officers at airports and mail centres, profiling 100% of passengers from Indonesia and using hygienic floor mats in all international airports, with the aim of combating foot-and-mouth disease.
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int/khz/
