Report - Middle East - OIE

Session – 2 Country Perspectives
Yemen experience during Rift Valley fever crisis
Dr Mansoor Al Qadasi, CVO Yemen
In 2000 – 2001 Yemen experienced several outbreaks of RVF. It was the first occurrence of
this disease outside Africa.
An operation room was established for controlling the RVF disease with cooperation with
Ministry of Health and all related ministries and authorities were represented including
Information Ministry.
Efficient control measure (animal movement restriction, slaughter banning in infected areas,
animal spraying…) were applied and a large surveillance programme was carried out.
The communication strategy was focused on two main targets:
• Health education - Public awareness:
– Daily information through TV, Radio and newspapers;
– Seminars including TV , Radio, schools and mosques;
– Brochures, posters and leaflets.
• Health education - Farmers awareness:
– Field visits to the villages by vets teams and direct communication;
– Specific radio programmes;
– Brochures, posters and leaflets in the live animal markets, village schools.
These two approaches had an essential role in raising the awareness and played a main role
in overcoming the crisis in that time.
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OIE Regional Seminar on Communication for Veterinary Services – Muscat, Oman, 20-22 April 2010 15/45