KZN FMD vaccination effort protecting dairy supply - milk producers
As of last month, the country recorded over 1 200 FMD cases, with KwaZulu-Natal the most affected province.
The Milk Producers’ Organisation says government’s vaccination campaign has helped limit the impact of foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks on dairy herds.
As of last month, the country recorded over 1 200 FMD cases, with KwaZulu-Natal being the most affected.
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The organisation’s CEO, Fannie Ferreira, says vaccination programmes have been crucial in maintaining herd health and stabilising supply.
Dairy sector remains under pressure
Ferreira has warned though that the sector remains under pressure from biosecurity risks and future outbreaks.
"It is quite well known that the dairy animals in South Africa are affected extremely badly by the foot-and-mouth disease. But we are glad to report that we haven't lost that amount of milk, although it is sweeping right through the country and through all our producers.
We are happy that we are still able to produce a lot of milk.
KwaZulu-Natal leads response as vaccination rollout expands
Meanwhile, Jozini in the Umkhanyakude District Municipality finalised its foot-and-mouth vaccination drive on Wednesday.
The Department of Agriculture in KwaZulu-Natal says the livestock farmers' associations in the area responded well to the call to action.
"Despite the presence of many unaccounted cloven-hoofed animals that are freely grazing in the area's forests, the veterinary-led teams say there's great progress made to bring those animals on board.
"To date, approximately 90 000 cattle have been vaccinated in Jozini alone, bringing to a total of 120 000 doses administered, including those from uMhlabuyalingana in the same district of uMkhanyakude."
Biosecurity concerns remain despite progress in FMD containment
The district's State Veterinarian, Dr S'busiso Fakude, is aiming to surpass the vaccination target of 75 per cent.
"We urge farmers, livestock owners to comply and bring their cattle at their respective dip tanks. Diptanks under Big 5 Hlabisa and Inkosi Mtubatuba local municipalities have an estimate of 55 000 cattle to be vaccinated. We have a solid campaign that will see us also meeting our target.”
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