Cape Town - Close to 4 000 cattle have been vaccinated in and around the drought-stricken area of Matiani in Limpopo as the province tries to quell an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), the department of agriculture said on Thursday.
“There are a total of 14 cattle that are showing signs of the disease with a total of 1 200 cattle at risk, because the cattle all use the same dipping facility,” said national agriculture department spokesman Bomikazi Molapo.
“The disease is only affecting one dipping tank, which is Matiani. A total of 6 070 cattle will be vaccinated; vaccinations began on the 14th December, 3 998 cattle have been vaccinated so far.”
Agriculture Minister Senzeni Zokwana visited Matiani village in Limpopo's Vhembe district shortly after the outbreak was detected last week.
Zokwana met with farmers at the dipping facility affected by the outbreak.
“Public and community communication plans have been implemented in local languages to educate people about the disease and the importance of adhering to the increased control measures,” Molapo said.
All State vets in Limpopo would work throughout December to contain the outbreak through a vaccination drive
AFRICAN NEWS AGENCY