KZN Agriclture ramps up FMD vaccination drive
Foot and mouth disease was declared a national disaster, earlier this year
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is intensifying its mass vaccination campaign against foot and mouth disease (FMD) in the Umzinyathi District. Over 70,000 cattle have been vaccinated in the last six days, with 1.7 million cattle already inoculated. The department remains on track to vaccinate 80% of the estimated 2.5 million cattle in the province against FMD.
Veterinary teams are currently operating in the uMsinga and uMvoti Municipalities. The vaccination drive aims to contain the outbreak, declared a national disaster earlier this year. Agriculture MEC Thembeni KaMadlopha-Mthethwa says additional staff will be deployed and farmers are urged to purchase animal feed to extend the lifespan of these animals.
KaMadlopha-Mthethwa also noted that the situation is primarily in a rural area depending on agriculture, and the department will assist those in dire need through Operation Sukuma Sakhe, which prioritizes agriculture.
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