WATCH | Over 800 cattle vaccinated in Karkloof as FMD rollout begins

A total of 850 dairy cattle at a Karkloof farm in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands were vaccinated against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) on Friday as the national mass vaccination campaign officially got underway in the province. The vaccinations took place during Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen’s visit to Colbourne Dairy Farm, where he launched the nationwide rollout. uMngeni Municipality Mayor Chris Pappas joined the minister, farmers and veterinary officials for the symbolic start to what government has described as a critical intervention to contain the spread of the disease.

KwaZulu-Natal received its allocation of 200 000 doses of the Biogénesis Bagó vaccine earlier this week, following the arrival of the first shipment in the country on February 21. The vaccines, which protect against the SAT 1 and SAT 2 strains of FMD, began rolling out in the Ugu and Harry Gwala districts on Thursday before reaching the Midlands. Steenhuisen said the Biogénesis Bagó vaccine was selected for its high potency and proven effectiveness against the strains currently affecting parts of the country.

State veterinary technician for uMgungundlovu District, Nkululeko Xashimba, who vaccinated the cattle, explained that each bottle contains 60 doses, enough to vaccinate 60 cattle. Colbourne Dairy Farm, which milks about 800 cows daily, has implemented strict biosecurity measures to prevent further spread of the virus. At the farm itself, vehicles are sanitised on arrival, and anyone entering cattle areas is required to wear full personal protective equipment and pass through disinfectant foot baths.