Regional platform for the control of bovine leukosis

Bovine leukosis is one of the silent ailments that affects the health, productivity, and therefore economic performance of herds in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Context of the story

The increasing appearance of tumors, consequent sudden deaths and the absence of official sanitary measures makes bovine leukosis a prospective threat for the dairy sector. Together with tuberculosis, brucellosis and sadness, they make up the set of diseases identified in the animal health programs of the countries of interest. These diseases are considered deserving of specific attention, both technological for better diagnosis, and political for the design of health policies that allow the initiation of control strategies. In Latin America and the Caribbean, bovine leukosis causes fatal tumors valued in Argentina at US $ 5,000 per dead cow.

Seed Fund for the creation of an R+ D+ i platform

The Implemented Initiative

Within the framework of the Seed Fund "Bovine leukosis control platform" a regional workshop was held on October 31 and November 1, 2019, at the Arturo E. Ragonese Botanical Garden, of the National Center for Agricultural Research-CNIA, INTA Argentina. Actors from different co-executing agencies belonging to INTA Argentina, IDIAP Panama, INIA Uruguay, IDIAF Dominican Republic and the Pasteur Institute of Montevideo, Uruguay, participated in this initiative, as well as other participants belonging to associated organizations in the scientific, educational and productive fields of Colombia, Costa Rica and Argentina.

Workshop

The technological solution

The workshop enabled the compilation of current knowledge on enzootic bovine leukosis in the region and the analysis of health prophylaxis and control scenarios. The workshop met the planned objectives: to prepare a diagnosis of the situation and behavior of bovine leukosis in the region, identifying impact and areas of intervention, together with the creation of a platform of actors from different institutions with regional interest in bovine leukosis and its control in Latin America and the Caribbean. Likewise, progress was made with the preparation of a consensus project proposal to reduce prevalence and improve the positioning of the sector.

“In all the countries of the region there is a high level of infection”

— Karina Trono

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Type of project

Capacity Building

Sustainable intensification

Strategy 1. Resilient farms

Results

- A diagnosis of the status and behavior of bovine leukosis in the region. - Creation of a platform of actors from different institutions with regional interest in bovine leukosis and its control. - A consensus project proposal for the reduction of prevalence.