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May 2010 Press Releases
May 20th 2010
Ma hopes to boost Belize agriculture, education
May 17th 2010
Cohune Oil Processing Facility for the Flowers Bank Community Group in Flowers Bank
May 17th 2010
Mexico Announces 15 CONALEP Scholarships for Belizeans
* Español
May 12th 2010
Belize NGOs Call For Ban On Offshore Oil Exploration
* English only
May 5th 2010
Belize foreign minister on official visit to Israel
* English only
May 5th 2010
Mexico Participated at the National Agriculture and Trade Show 2010
* Español
April 2010 Press Releases
April 22nd 2010
Victory for CGA and its Members
* English only
April 9th 2010
Certification Mark Stakeholders Workshop
* PDF format
March 2010 Press Releases
March, 2010
Belize - Farmers of the Year - 2010
* English only
Notices
President Ma hopes to boost Belize agriculture, education
Taipei, May 20 (CNA) President Ma Ying-jeou said Thursday that Taiwan hopes to make Belize into a rice production hub in Central America and is considering opening a large vocational training center there.
"The quality of rice cultivated by Taiwan's agricultural technicians in Belize is equal to that of homegrown rice, " Ma told Gaspar Vega, deputy prime minister and minister of natural resources and the environment of Belize, during a meeting at the Presidential Office.
"We have strong confidence that Belize can become a rice cultivation center in the region, supplying its own demand and other countries," Ma said.
Recounting his state visit to Belize last year, Ma said he tasted a Taiwanese dish prepared with rice planted there. "It was as good as in Taiwan," he said.
Ma told reporters he met Vega during his 2009 visit to Belize and that they had discussed agriculture and education.
"Currently, some 80 students from Belize are studying in Taiwan on scholarships provided by the Taiwan government, " the president said.
"We also hope to set up a large vocational training center there to help the country's development," he said. (By S. H. Lee and Flor Wang)
END
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Belmopan, 17.05.2010
The General Public and in particular the Agriculture Sector and Media Houses, are hereby informed of the inauguration of the Cohune Oil Processing Facility for the Flowers Bank Community Group in Flowers Bank to witness a historic event.
The inauguration of the Cohune Oil Processing Facility is scheduled for the 19th May 2010 at 3:00 p.m. at the Flowers Bank Village, Belize District.
The Cohune Oil Processing Facility worth a total of BZ$250,000.00 is financed by The European Union through a grant to the UNDP and the ministry of Agriculture from the Belize Rural Development Program (BRDP) for the project entitled “Agriculture Enterprise Development for Rural Belize”. UNDP GEF/Small Grants Programme is also investing in this facility through the project entitled “Promotion of Sustainable Use of Biodiversity Resources in the Community Baboon Sanctuary”.
The community of Flowers Bank has traditionally survived from a thriving, but informal, cohune oil industry. The cohune nut is plentiful in the surrounding forested areas and the community members have developed their own niche market for the product. Cohune Oil production has been carried out on an individual household basis with very little standardization of process or consistency in quality. This project will formalize the community members’ efforts and enhance their product through increased processing efficiency, introducing quality assurance techniques and food safety standards within the product processing, and standardizing bottling and labeling.
The main aim of the project is to improve the efficiency and profitability of the traditional farming systems employed by the Flowers Bank community through the construction of an appropraite infrastructure, modern equipment and technology, and the introduction of agricultural best practices, which together will enhance the competitivenees and sustainability of a traditional industry of cohune oil production. As a result, the project will contribute directly to improving the social-economic development and the quality of life of the people of Flowers Bank and the Belriv region.
 
END
KEYNOTE ADDRESS OF HON. RENE MONTERO
For more information please contact:
Mrs. Diane Wade-Moore
Programme Analyst
UNDP
Belmopan, Belize
diane.wade@undp.org
Tel. 822-0467
Member Mrs. Dorla Rhaburn
Flowers Bank Community Group
Central Farm, Cayo District
Tel. 209-2059
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EMBASSY OF MEXICO TO BELIZE - P R E S S R E L E A S E - No. 29
Mexico Announces 15 CONALEP Scholarships for Belizeans
Belmopan, 12 May 2010.- The National College of Professional Technical Education (CONALEP) of Mexico and the Ministry of Education of Belize announce the offer of 15 scholarships for the Academic year 2010-2011 to Belizean Nationals to study at the Professional Technical Level in Mexico.
CONALEP provides more than 40 different technical degree programs in 7 areas at different campus in Mexico. Careers are available on Electrical and Industrial, Maintenance and Installation, Production Processes and Physical Transformation, Production Processes and Chemical-Biological Transformation, and Information Technology areas and also careers on Tourism and Health.
Applicants must meet all minimum requirements of CONALEP which include: to be at least 17 years old, must reside in Belize, whether national or nationalized, submit a copy of birth certificate, an original copy of a medical certificate of good health prepared by a public hospital, 2 (two) colored passport size photos, an original copy of a completed CONALEP application form as well as copies of certified High School transcripts, have an intermediate level knowledge of the Spanish language and sign a Bond Agreement with the Government of Belize. All academic and personal documents have to be certified by the relevant ministries.
Those interested should submit their applications along with all required documentation to the Ministry of Education – Director of Tertiary and Post Secondary Education no later than 28 May 2010. Applicants will be interviewed by CONALEP examiners on the 10 and 11 June 2010 in Belize and sit an exam on 11 June 2010 in Belize. Classes will begin in the CONALEP System on 9 August 2010.
Applicants may obtain a CONALEP Scholarship Application Form from any District Education Center countrywide and from the Ministry of Education in Belmopan, West Block, Third Floor, Room 10.
The Application Form and personalized attention is provided at the Institute of Mexico in Belize, corner of Newtown Barracks and Wilson Street, Belize City, call at 223-1408 or write to institutodemexico@embamex.bz
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EMBAJADA DE MÉXICO EN BELICE - C O M U N I C A D O D E P R E N S A - No. 29
Mexico Ofrece 15 Becas Del CONALEP
Belmopan, 12 de mayo de 2010.- El Colegio Nacional de Educación Profesional Técnica (CONALEP) de México y el Ministerio de Educación de Belice han anunciado la convocatoria para las becas para el año académico 2010-2011 destinadas a beliceños que deseen estudiar a nivel de profesional técnico en México.
El CONALEP ofrece más de 40 diferentes carreras de técnico profesional en 7 áreas de estudio en diversos planteles del territorio mexicano. En el sector industrial, existen carreras en las áreas Eléctrica e Industrial, Mantenimiento e Instalación, Procesos de Producción y Transformación Física, Procesos de Producción y Transformación Química-Biológica y Tecnología de la Información. Mientras tanto, en el sector de servicios, se ofrecen diversas carreras en el área de Turismo y de Salud.
Los aspirantes deberán cumplir con los requisitos mínimos solicitados por el CONALEP. Además, deberán tener una edad mínima de 17 años; residir en Belice, ya sea nacional o naturalizado; presentar una copia del acta de nacimiento; original del certificado de buena salud emitido por un hospital público; presentar 2 (dos) fotografías tamaño pasaporte; contar con conocimientos de nivel intermedio de español; presentar el original de la solicitud del CONALEP llenada completamente; copias de los certificados académicos de nivel de bachillerato; y firmar un acuerdo con el Gobierno de Belice. Todos los documentos personales y académicos deberán ser certificados por los ministerios correspondientes.
Los interesados deberán presentar su solicitud al Ministerio de Educación, ante el Director de Educación Terciaria y Post Secundaria, antes del 28 de mayo de 2010. Los solicitantes serán entrevistados por una delegación de representantes del CONALEP el 10 y 11 de junio de 2010 en Belice. Asimismo, los entrevistados tendrán que someterse a un examen general de conocimientos en las mismas fechas. Los cursos en el CONALEP iniciarán el 9 de agosto de 2010.
Cualquier persona interesada, deberá obtener una Solicitud de Beca del CONALEP en cualquier Centro de Educación Distrital a lo largo de Belice o en el Ministerio de Educación en Belmopán (West Block, Third Floor, Room 10).
También podrán obtener la solicitud y recibir información personalizada en el Instituto de México en Belice, esquina de Newtown Barracks and Wilson Street, Ciudad de Belice. Llame al 223-1408 ó escriba al institutodemexico@embamex.bz
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Belize NGOs Call For Ban On Offshore Oil Exploration
Press Release - May 12, 2010 11:29 PM
Belmopan, Belize, 12 May (Belizean.com) The Association of Protected Areas Management Organizations, APAMO, has called on the Belize government to ban offshore oil exploration. APAMO is the umbrella organization for Non Government Organizations involved in managing protected areas in Belize.
At its Annual General Meeting yesterday, APAMO Chairman Mr. Edilberto Romero told the media that "The position of APAMO is to call on the government to put a complete ban on oil exploration on our offshore areas. The oil exploration activities offshore are too risky for our natural resources, too risky for the coral reefs, too risky for the Belize Barrier Reef World Heritage System. APAMO members have agreed to put a resolution to call on the government to put a complete ban on oil exploration on the offshore." (Image shows oil exploration concessions in Belize offshore waters.)
The APAMO Chairman drew parallels to the current oil spill in the Gulf Of Mexico and what this could mean for Belize: "We can look at the revenues generated from oil in the Spanish Lookout area and we can look at the effects of what has happened in the sense that even with the best environmental monitoring and mitigation plan, there are still oil spills and it has happened in terrestrial areas in Belize, it has happened in the Gulf of Mexico and it has happened in other parts of the world. Oil exploration here in offshore of Belize, oil spills can have tremendous damage to the system; to the barrier reef, to the coral reef, to the marine system and the damage and the impact, economically on the different industries of Belize, the tourism industry, fisheries industry could be far more than what we stand to gain in oil exploration. It could mean wiping out the livelihoods of the tourism industry. I think it would be very irresponsible to ignore that and hence APAMO's call to put a ban on offshore oil exploration in Belize."
The concerns over offshore oil exploration in Belize have mounted after an oil concession map was leaked to the media. The map from the Belize Geology and Petroleum Department, called the Belize Petroleum Contracts Map, shows oil concessions approved by the government of Belize in protected areas, including Belize's Barrier Reef.
The companies which have been given concessions to look for oil include: Princess Petroleum Limited; BCH International Limited; BelGeo Limited; Blue Creek Exploration Limited; Island Oil Belize Limited; Miles Tropical Energy Limited; OPIC Resource Corporation; Perenco Belize Limited; PetroBelize; Providence Energy Belize Limited; RSM Production Corporation; SOL Oil Belize; Spartan Petroleum Corporation; US Capital Energy Belize Limited; West Bay Belize Limited and ZMT International Incorporated.
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Belize foreign minister on official visit to Israel
Press Release
Tours of historical sites have given the visiting foreign minister a better understanding of the Jewish people's deep ties to its land.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belize, Mr. Wilfred Elrington, is in Israel on an official visit (3-6 May 2010). He has met with President Shimon Peres, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Avigdor Liberman and other senior officials. The visiting minister discussed with his hosts ways to strengthen bilateral relations. The diplomatic process and the Iranian threat were also discussed.
An entire day of the visit was devoted to economic and technological topics. FM Elrington visited the Israeli hi-tech companies Taldor and Better Place and toured the Sharon (Hiria) recycling park. He also met with the heads of the Israel-Latin America Chamber of Commerce, with whom he discussed ways to increase mutual trade between Israel and Belize.
FM Elrington laid a wreath on the grave of Theodor Herzl, visited Yad Vashem, planted a tree in the Kennedy Forest, toured the Old City of Jerusalem, Massada and the Dead Sea, and received a briefing about the security fence.
After the tour of Massada, FM Elrington said, "Now I understand better the deep connection of the Jewish people to its land."
This is the first visit by a foreign minister from Belize since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two states in 1983. Israeli-Belize relations have been strengthened lately with the signing of the agreement to cancel visa requirements for tourists of both states. Israel has also recently increased aid to Belize, sending agricultural experts through its MASHAV department - Israel's National Agency for International Cooperation.
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MEXICO PARTICIPATED AT THE NATIONAL AGRICULTURE AND TRADE SHOW 2010
Embassy of Mexico to Belize Press Release
Belmopan, 3 May 2010.- A large Mexican delegation participated for the second year at the National Agriculture and Trade Show 2010. The Mexican representatives set the “Mexican Pavillion” at the Agri Show which took place the 1 & 2 May 2010 in Belmopan.
With the support of the Embassy of Mexico, more than 10 Mexican companies and organizations participated in this important Belizean event which is aimed at promoting new developments and presenting innovative projects in agriculture and livestock in Belize. The 10 Mexican participants came from the states of Yucatan, Quintana Roo and Chiapas.
From the state of Yucatan, Botanas y Frituras del Sureste La Lupita (crips and snacks maker), Representaciones del Sureste (juice producer), Fiestas Mexicanas (products for parties and piñatas manufacturer), Vega Consultores (health and skin care products), Phitopharmacos de México (herbal based products manufacturer) and Monty Industries (apparel assembly plant) participated. Their presentation was sponsored by the Pymexporta Center from the Department of Economic Development of Yucatan and the Regional Office of ProMexico.
The Quintana Roo based companies Hidroponia Maya, specialized in hydroponics agriculture and the Apiculture Cooperative La Flor del Tajonal were sponsored by the Department of Economic Development of the State of Quintana Roo, while the State of Chiapas presented the wood handicraft enterprise Mariposa Azul.
The Embassy of Mexico congratulates the Mexican participants and is grateful for the Government of Belize’s support. The Embassy also wishes to thank the Belizean public and the business community for their visit and interest in strengthening and extend trade relations between Mexico and Belize.
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MÉXICO PARTICIPÓ EN LA FERIA NACIONAL AGRÍCOLA Y COMERCIAL DE BELICE
Embajada de México en Belice - Comunicado de Prensa
Belmopán, 3 de mayo de 2010.- Por segundo año México participó con una amplia delegación en la Feria Nacional Agrícola y Comercial de Belice en su edición 2010. Los representantes mexicanos establecieron el “Pabellón Mexicano” los días 1 y 2 de mayo, en esta feria que tuvo lugar en Belmopán.
Diez organizaciones y empresas, con el apoyo de la Embajada de México, participaron en esta importante exposición beliceña que está orientada a mostrar los avances en las áreas agrícola y ganadera de Belice. Los diez participantes mexicanos provenían de los estados de Quintana Roo, Yucatán y Chiapas.
Por el Estado de Yucatán participaron Botanas y Frituras del Sureste La Lupita, Representaciones del Sureste de México, fabricante de jugos, Fiestas Mexicanas, fabricante de piñatas y artículos para fiestas, Vega Consultores, fabricante de productos para el cuidado de la salud y de la piel, Phitopharmacos de México, fabricante de productos de hierbas, y Monty Industries, maquiladora de ropa. Su participación recibió el apoyo del Centro Pymexporta de Yucatán, dependiente de la Secretaría de Fomento Económico de ese estado y de la Oficina Regional de ProMéxico.
Del Estado de Quintana Roo estuvieron presentes Hidroponia Maya, agroproductores de invernadero, y la Sociedad Cooperativa de Producción Apícola La Flor del Tajonal, quienes recibieron apoyo de la Secretaría estatal de Desarrollo Económico. Mientras que por el Estado de Chiapas, participó la empresa de artesanías Mariposa Azul.
La Embajada de México agradece el apoyo de las empresas y organizaciones mexicanas participantes y del Gobierno de Belice, así como especialmente al público y la comunidad empresarial beliceña por su visita y su interés en ampliar los lazos comerciales con México.
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Belize Citrus Growers Association
Citrus Research & Education Institute (C.R.E.I.) • Administrative, Financial, Sales Division
Press Release
Victory for CGA and its Members
The Court issued its ruling in the case of the Belize Citrus Growers Association Investment
Company Limited (BCGAICL) vs. Citrus Products of Belize Limited, Henry Canton, Banks
Holdings Limited, Frank Redmond and Michael Duncker. In her determination the Hon. Madam
Justice Minnet Hafiz-Bertram found the following:
"In my view, the Claimant being desirous of removing Henry Canton, Michael Duncker and
Frank Redmond and to replace them with Rosella Zabaneh, Denzil Jenkins and Antonio
Zabaneh, had an absolute right pursuant to Clause 9(1) of the Amended Investment Agreement
to inform the Directors by the letter dated the 10th day of July 2009 that the Claimant had
properly exercised its right to remove them as Directors of the CPBL."
"Accordingly, I disagree with the Second Defendant (Henry Canton) that he was duly appointed
by the First Defendant (BCGAICL) as a director of that Company and can only be removed as a
director of the Company in accordance with Articles of Association of that Company"
"Further, the court cannot help noticing the confusion which was created as a result of necessary
amendments that had to be made to the Articles of Association to incorporate the Investment
Agreement. The Company, Citrus Products of Belize Limited ought to seriously scrutinize the
Articles of Association, the Initial Investment Agreement and the Amended Investment
Agreement and make the necessary amendments to the Articles of the Association."
"Before addressing these provisions, I must consider the argument by the third Defendant (Banks
Holdings Ltd.) that his matter should have been submitted to Arbitration pursuant to Clause 30 of
the Investment Agreement and so the Claimant (BCGAICL) is therefore precluded from
pursuing this claim. In my view, Clause 30 is not applicable to the dispute before the court. The
Claimant is therefore, not precluded from pursuing this claim.
The Citrus Growers Association and its subsidiary Belize Citrus Growers Association
Investment Company Limited views this as a resounding victory and vindication of the position
Mile 9, Stann Creek Valley Road • P.O. Box 7. Dangriga, Belize, C.A. • Tel: 501-522-3547, 3585, 3535 • Fax: 501-522-2686, 3511
E-Mail:cga@belizecitrus.org, crei@belizecitrus.org • Web:www.belizecitrus.org
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Belize - Farmers of the Year - 2010
The National Agriculture and Trade Show (NATS) Committee is proud to announce the winners of this year’s Farmers of the Year award.
Mr. Manases Canto of San Antonio Village, Cayo District is the Senior Farmer of the Year, Mrs. Julia Isabel Gonzalez of Rockstone Pond, Belize District is the Woman Farmer of the Year and Ms. Maritza Lourdes Lazo of Bomba Village, Belize District is the Junior Farmer of the Year.
Profiles of the Winning Farmers
Mr. Manases Canto: Senior Farmer of the Year
Mr. Manases Canto is an accomplished farmer who hails from the village of San Antonio in the Cayo District. His farm comprises of plantains, fruit trees, cattle, pigs and local chicken. He also cultivates sweet peppers, carrots, peanuts, potatoes and other vegetables. Traditionally Mr. Canto has used the Milpa system, but over the years he has evolved into a semi-mechanized operation. To improve his vegetable production, this farmer has established a drip irrigation system at his farm and acquired a protective covered structure to grow better quality vegetables. His produce is mainly sold at the San Ignacio market. Over the years Mr. Canto has received and participated in numerous trainings that have assisted him with his farm operations. He has a good technical background in animal husbandry and vegetable production including the proper management and control of pest and disease. His twenty acres farm is, no doubt, diversified, but his aim is to eventually convert it into a fully integrated farming system. For Mr. Manases Canto, agriculture is not only a good business, but also a way of life that he will continue to pursue.
Mrs. Julia Isabel Gonzales: Woman Farmer of the Year
Mrs. Gonzalez is a hardworking farmer from the village of Rockstone Pond in the Belize District. She has been working at her seventeen acre farm for the past twenty years. Today, this farmer has established a mixed farm that includes crops as well as livestock. It includes onions, potatoes, Red Kidney beans, corn, fruit trees and a variety of vegetables including lettuce, Pac Choi, sweet pepper, watermelons among others. The livestock component of the farm consists of five beef cattle with eight acres of improved pastures and 500 Tilapia fingerlings.
To improve her production capacity and field operations, she has introduced a drip irrigation system with an industrial well, recently acquired a tropical greenhouse and has an assortment of field agricultural tools and equipment. A portion of the produce is usually used for home consumption and the surplus is sold at the local market. She has developed a label for her produce to identify and distinguish her products. Mrs. Gonzalez keeps good records of her operations because she firmly believes in taking a business approach to agriculture.
Ms. Maritza Lourdes Lazo: Junior Farmer of the Year
Ms. Maritza Lazo is a junior farmer from the village of Bomba in the Belize District. She cultivates onions, tomatoes, sweet pepper, plantains, and fruit trees among other crops. Her semi-mechanized farm is equipped with a drip irrigation system for vegetable production and has an assortment of tools and machinery to facilitate field operations. This farmer also rears cattle, pigs and local chickens. Ten acres of the thirty acre farm are under improved pastures. Over the past years, Ms. Lazo has participated in trainings for vegetable production and soil management. This has prompted her to adopt good agriculture practices such as composting to improve soil fertility. She believes that the soil is a living thing; so it has to be nourished properly to obtain the best returns. In addition to field cultivation, this young farmer manually does milking of cows and makes cheese that is sold in the local community. Ms. Lazo maintains proper records and is fully cognizant and appreciates the importance of agricultural entrepreneurship.
The NATS Committee would also like to remind the general public and booth holders of traditional booths that the deadline for payment for booths is Tuesday, 30th March, 2010. Any booth not paid for by this date the NATS committee will be offered to other new-comers.
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ARCHIVES
January 2010
ARCHIVES
December 2009
Notices
The International Collating Centre, Newmarket, England, and other sources
reported the following disease outbreaks.
Contagious equine metritis (CEM) was recorded in France, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the United Kingdom, and the USA. France confirmed three cases on one premises and one case on another premises. Switzerland reported Taylorella asinigenitalis from a Poitou-donkey jack. An isolated case of infection with T. equigenitalis was confirmed in a mare in the UK; this had no connection with a previously reported stallion. A nonbreeding Thoroughbred stallion tested positive for T. equigenitalis on pre-export testing in the UAE. As of September 3, the USA confirmed 22 stallions and five mares positive for T. equigenitalis. The carrier stallions were located in the following states: Georgia (1), Illinois (3), Indiana (3), Iowa (1, a gelding), Kentucky (4), Texas (1), Wisconsin (9). The carrier mares were in California (2), Illinois (2), and Wisconsin (1).
Chile reported an outbreak of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) abortion on one premises during August/September involving seven mares. Herpesvirus abortion occurred in South Africa involving 30 broodmares on five premises. Neurologic disease attributable to EHV-1 was diagnosed in seven horses in France. The USA reported an outbreak of EHV-1 myeloencephalopathy in Pennsylvania; six horses on one premises were euthanized. Isolated cases of respiratory disease, mainly caused by EH V-4, were diagnosed in France, Japan, and the UK.
Outbreaks of equine influenza were reported from France, the UK, and the USA. In France, multiple cases were diagnosed on two premises and an isolated case on a third premises. Influenza was confirmed on two premises in the UK. H3N8 equine influenza virus isolates were reported from five states in the USA.
Strangles was reported from Australia, Ireland, South Africa, and the USA. Four outbreaks occurred in Queensland, Australia. Ireland reported 13 outbreaks involving 18 cases on premises in three provinces. An estimated 40 horses on at least five premises were diagnosed in South Africa. The USA reported outbreaks similar in number to those of previous years.
Ireland, Switzerland, and the USA reported outbreaks of piroplasmosis. Ireland recorded three clinical cases. Three cases on separate premises in Switzerland were confirmed with B. caballi and/or T. equi infection. Seven horses were diagnosed with T. equi on a premises in Missouri, USA.
The USA reported a significant increase in the number of cases of Eastern equine encephalomyelitis (249) compared to 2008 (185). The greatest number of cases were in Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi.
Outbreaks of West Nile encephalitis were reported from Italy and the USA. In Italy, infection was confirmed in 45 horses, of which 28 were clinically affected and seven died. Two additional cases were diagnosed in separate areas of Tuscany. The USA reported 164 cases, of which the majority (64) occurred in Washington State.
Reports from the World Organisation for Animal Health (O.I.E.) in August/September confirmed the occurrence of sporadic equine cases of Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis in three districts in Belize and on two premises in Costa Rica, Central America.
Sweden reported limited outbreaks of salmonellosis on three premises. An isolated case was diagnosed in Switzerland. Switzerland also confirmed single cases of anaplasmosis (Anaplasma phagocytophila) and borreliosis (Borrelia burgdorferi) on separate premises.
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