More than 1.1 million animals have been vaccinated against foot-and-mouth disease in KwaZulu-Natal since February, according to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development .
The department confirmed that the eThekwini Municipality is the latest district to complete the vaccination programme, bringing the total number of fully covered districts to six.
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In eThekwini alone, 21 209 animals were vaccinated across 89 dip tanks in areas including uMlazi, Adams Mission, Inanda, uMbumbulu, uThongathi and Hazelmere. A further 20 428 animals were ear-tagged during the campaign.
Other districts already covered include uGu, Harry Gwala, uMkhanyakude, Zululand and uMgungundlovu.
The next phase of the rollout is set to begin in the uThukela District from June 19 to July 11, targeting more than 200 000 cattle across 320 dip tanks in the oKhahlamba, Inkosi Langalibalele and Alfred Duma local municipalities.
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The vaccination drive forms part of ongoing disease control measures amid concerns about the impact of foot-and-mouth disease on livestock movement and the agricultural sector.
