Animal Health in Palestine before 1948 (Nakba): Bovine Diseases,Equine Diseases, Sheep And Goat Diseases, Swine Diseases & Canine Diseases, British Mandate: A Survey of Palestine: Volume I - Page 330. Chapter IX: Agriculture: Section 2: Animal Health and Produce

CHAPTER IX.

buffaloes, necessitates annual prophylactic vaccination in the low-lying swampy areas where the disease is prevalent.

EQUINE DISEASES.

35. Glanders, epizootic lymphangitis, dourine , and mange, all serious contagious diseases, occur in Palestine. Due to measures in force, severe outbreaks of these conditions do not occur, but sporadic cases are widespread and constant control is essential. Measures include elimination of reactors by testing with mallein. destruction of equines affected with epizootic lymphangitis, and serological testing for dourine.

36. Recently African horse-sickness spread from Egypt to Palestine and the resulting severe epizootic caused very heavy losses before being controlled by vaccination of all horses and mules in the country. Although the future incidence of the disease in Palestine cannot yet be foreseen, it is possible that the veterinary service may permanently have to combat African horse-sickness.

SHEEP AND GOAT DISEASES.

37. Undoubtedly the most serious diseases of these animals are parasitic gastro-enteritis and other worm infections, which cause enormous annual losses from mortality and loss of• condition. Sheep scab, and sarcoptic mange and anaplasmosis of goats are enzootic throughout Palestine. Outbreaks of anthrax and enterotoxaemia are widespread and are controlled by vaccination.

SWINE DISEASES .

38. Although outbreaks of serious diseases, such as swine fever, have occurred in the past, the extent of the pig industry was such that outbreaks were easily suppressed without much spread or serious loss. Since the war, however, pig breeding ih Palestine has extended rapidly and numerous large piggeries now exist in many parts of the country. In consequence the control of recent outbreaks of swine fever has necessitated considerable effort.

CANINE DISEASES.

39. By far the most important of canine diseases is rabies, a large jackal population acting as a constant source of infection. The prevalence of this disease entails a large-scale destruction of this vermin and stray dogs and the implementation of measures for the control of outbreaks.

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