Strong start for livestock vaccination drive in eThekwini
The department said the campaign forms part of a broader strategy to prevent animal diseases and improve livestock traceability.
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has reported a strong start to its livestock vaccination and tagging campaign in eThekwini, with more than 2 000 animals vaccinated on the first day.
The programme, which began on Tuesday and will run until June 16, is being rolled out across 10 diptanks in areas in and around Inanda, including Mzinyathi, Amatikwe and Amatata.
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According to the department, veterinary-led teams vaccinated 2 122 animals and tagged a further 1 954 on the opening day of the campaign.
MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa, praised the teams on the ground for their efforts despite challenging weather conditions.
“This is exactly the kind of commitment we need to protect our livestock sector and safeguard the livelihoods of our farmers,” she said.
The department said the campaign forms part of a broader strategy to prevent animal diseases and improve livestock traceability.
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Farmers have been urged to co-operate with officials and bring their animals to designated diptanks before the campaign concludes next week.
Last week, the department finalised the vaccination campaign in uMgungundlovu District, where just over 84 000 cattle were vaccinated across 197 designated dip tanks within the district’s seven local municipalities – Impendle, uMngeni, Mpofana, uMsunduzi, Mkhambathini, Richmond and uMshwathi.
In the process, 29 364 animals were eartagged.
This vaccination programme also included a total of 77 commercial farms.
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So far, FMD vaccinations have been completed in five districts, including Ugu, Harry Gwala, uMkhanyakude, Zululand and uMgungundlovu District.
KZN was recently hailed for leading the campaign nationally after more than 1.1 million animals received vaccines by the first of June.
