The Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation (Midagri) announced that, starting next year, the National Agrarian Health Service (Senasa) will develop strategic actions for the prevention of scabies in vicuñas.
Scabies is an external parasitic disease produced mainly by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei. It affects domestic and wild South American camelids, such as the vicuña, without distinction of age and sex. The clinical signs are: inflammation and redness of the skin, formation of brittle and painful crusts, hair loss and intense itching. All this is due to an inflammatory reaction of the animal, a product of the mite’s feeding, as well as contact with its saliva and feces.
To prevent this scourge, Midagri will conduct a nationwide epidemiological evaluation to determine the prevalence of scabies in South American camelids. In addition, it will manage a program to control this disease in ten regions of the country.
Meanwhile, this year Senasa reinforced the health care of these animals through the chaccus, spaces in which the clinical condition of vicuñas has been evaluated and a timely treatment has been determined. During the intervention, antiparasitics are also applied and producers are trained to implement prevention measures.
This important agreement was determined during the ‘Technical round table to combat scabies in vicuñas’, held in Pampa Galeras, Ayacucho region. The official activity counted with the participation of the Vice Minister of Development of Family Agriculture and Agrarian Infrastructure and Irrigation, José Muro; the national head of Senasa, Miguel Quevedo; and the Regional Governor of Ayacucho, Carlos Rúa; among other representatives such as Sernamp, Serfor, and the Directorate of camelids and peasant communities of Lucanas.
The data
- According to the National Agricultural Census (Cenagro) 2012, the largest population of vicuñas is found in the regions of Apurímac, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cusco, Huancavelica, Ica, Junín, Lima, Moquegua, Pasco and Puno.
- It is planned to continue the development of attention sessions with chaccus in the high Andean communities of Ayacucho, prior coordination with the local authorities and taking advantage of the chaccus that are organized periodically.
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