Katlehong: Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen and Gauteng MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Vuyiswa Ramokgopa, will spearhead continuing efforts to roll out the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine campaign, with a visit to Katlehong on Saturday. This is part of government's strategy to protect the national livestock herd and ensure food security, with a nationwide mass vaccination campaign.
According to South African Government News Agency, this ongoing vaccination rollout forms part of the government's urgent response to curb the spread of FMD, a contagious viral illness affecting cloven-hoofed animals. The campaign aims to reach as many farmers and livestock owners as possible, reducing economic losses and ensuring food security, the department said in a statement.
A consignment of 1.5 million vaccines was received last week. The successful importation of Dollvet FMD vaccines from Turkey, facilitated by Dunevax Biotech as the authorised agent, highlights government's partnership with the private sector to secure a reliable pipeline of high-potency vaccines in South Africa's fight against FMD, the department said.