The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization is urging farmers to be on guard against transboundary animal diseases.Officials warn that ticks, lice and other pests can spread quickly from one country to the next.Experts from across Africa say trans-border diseases kill between 10 and 20 percent of the continent's animals every year.The experts gathered in Cameroon last month to discuss the problem.They suggested large vaccination and pest eradication programs to stop the spread of the diseases.Dr. Taiga is Cameroon's livestock minister.He does not use a first name.He says pests like nose bot flies and wool maggots are harming animals in some communities in his country.Dr. Taiga says all animals in an area must be killed if one animal is affectedbecause the diseases are contagious.They spread quickly from animal to animal.He says that is why the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Organization for Animal Health are working together to destroy the diseases.
