SIPHELELE NKETO
THE mass vaccination drive against foot-and-mouth disease has targeted a number of animals in the Harry Gwala district.
The initiative aims to curb the rapid spread of the disease. MEC for the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in KwaZulu-Natal Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa conducted an oversight visit of dip-tanks administering mass vaccinations in the Harry Gwala district this week. There was an influx of cattle herds that were ushered into the dip-tanks as teams continued using BioGenesis Bago manufactured vaccines (Argentina).
This followed the successful inoculation of 54 846 cattle, including 5 000 commercial cattle in the Ugu district.
KaMadlopha-Mthethwa visited several dipping tanks such as Ndwebu at Nhlangwini near Highflats where she was joined by veterinary-led teams administering vaccinations.
“Our mass vaccination strategy is progressing according to plan with everything falling into place,” kaMadlopha-Mthethwa said.
The vaccine rollout has targeted commercial cattle including dairy and beef cattle in the Harry Gwala district as kaMadlopha-Mthethwa said that she expects about 170 000 communal cattle to be brought by livestock owners and farmers to 210 dip-tanks in the district.
Several farmers in the district of Harry Gwala were pleased with the programme.
