SA rolls out first mass poultry vaccination
South Africa is launching its first mass poultry vaccination campaign in a bid to protect local flocks from avian influenza.
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen announced on Thursday that the vaccines will be rolled out on a number of farms in the country.
The move comes weeks after a temporary import ban on poultry products from Brazil, following an outbreak of the H5N1 virus in the southern region.
Steenhuisen said specialist vets from the University of Pretoria and research council ARC are prioritising high-risk areas and commercial flocks to curb the spread of bird flu, and prevent further culling.
On the infectious foot-and-mouth disease, the minister says over 900,000 vaccine doses have been ordered for KZN, with assessments underway in Gauteng.
READ: Brazil says bird flu outbreak contained
The first batch is expected to be rolled out next week.
"It all comes down to adhering to the biosecurity regulations that govern the movement of the animals as well as auctioning of animals.
"It again stresses why we need a track and trace system in South Africa to govern that. We procured vaccines from the Botswana Vaccine Institute, again we should be producing it ourselves here but that we can get it in the meantime."
