Celebrating World Veterinary Day: ADAFSA's Health Initiatives

On April 25, the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) celebrated World Veterinary Day 2026, themed “Veterinarians: Guardians of Food and Health.” This observance underscores the vital contributions of veterinary specialists to both animal and public health.

ADAFSA highlighted collaborative efforts among veterinarians, technicians, livestock farmers, and the community in providing top-notch veterinary care that protects animal welfare and ensures the safety of food.

With veterinary teams operating tirelessly, ADAFSA is providing crucial support while running field awareness initiatives aimed at guiding breeders on effective livestock management amid changing climates. These activities are essential for enhancing disease prevention methods and improving the well-being of animals throughout the emirate.

As part of its continuous efforts, ADAFSA is conducting its 16th Annual Animal Disease and Vaccination Awareness Campaign (2025–2026), which runs until the end of this month. This program aims to vaccinate approximately 2.4 million sheep, goats, and cattle from a livestock total exceeding 3.25 million in Abu Dhabi.

The vaccination initiative targets significant diseases, including Peste des Petits Ruminants, Foot and Mouth Disease, and Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia. Specialized teams are actively coordinating the campaign with local livestock farmers across various regions.

In addition to vaccinations, ADAFSA has launched strong awareness campaigns focusing on biosecurity measures. Livestock owners are urged to isolate newly acquired or sick animals, report unusual symptoms or sudden deaths using the toll-free number 800555, and uphold cleanliness by regularly sanitizing enclosures and equipment.

The authority also emphasized the necessity of sourcing livestock and feed from licensed vendors while adhering to waste disposal protocols. Guidelines to avert zoonotic diseases have been reinforced, stressing personal hygiene for farmworkers and discouraging unapproved slaughtering practices.

ADAFSA added that veterinarians now extend their role beyond just treatment, being pivotal to the “One Health” concept linking human, animal, and environmental health.

Continuing its commitment, ADAFSA invests in veterinary education through training, research, and advanced lab facilities that focus on camel diseases and coronaviruses.

ADAFSA encouraged the community to appreciate the contributions of veterinary professionals and motivated students to consider veterinary medicine, emphasizing its increasing relevance in promoting food security and sustainable development.