China Vaccine Support Boosts Pakistan’s Livestock Disease Control

Pakistan has received 300,000 veterinary vaccine doses from China to help control lumpy skin disease and Brucella melitensis in livestock.

The support comes as Pakistan works to protect a livestock sector that accounts for 62.45 percent of agricultural value addition and 14.64 percent of the country’s GDP. The 2025-26 economic survey also reported 3.75 percent growth in the sector.

Agricultural researchers say the vaccines could help reduce losses linked to livestock diseases, including lower milk production, fertility problems and reproductive losses. They, however, stressed that vaccination needs to be supported by disease testing, surveillance, cold-chain facilities and proper records.

Pakistan is also developing an electronic animal disease reporting and surveillance system as part of its wider One Health programme. Officials and livestock experts say better veterinary coverage at village level is needed because many farmers still have limited access to vaccines and animal-health services.

Experts also believe stronger disease control could improve Pakistan’s prospects in international livestock markets. They say vaccination should be combined with animal identification, traceability, accredited laboratories and veterinary certification.

The researchers have urged Pakistan to use the cooperation with China to develop long-term disease-control capacity, including modern diagnostic facilities, disease monitoring and local vaccine production, rather than relying mainly on periodic vaccine assistance.