Mbabane – Twenty-two dip tanks across Eswatini will this week administer the second dose of the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine as part of the government’s ongoing national efforts to contain the spread of the disease.
The vaccination campaign begins today in the Lubombo and Shiselweni regions, targeting dip tanks such as Mdumako, Mhlumeni, Nsingweni, and Sagula. According to the Ministry of Agriculture’s FMD Control Unit Focal Person, Dr. Thembi Ndlangamandla, farmers are urged to bring their cattle to the designated dip tanks on time for vaccination.
“We request farmers to bring their cattle to the dip to protect them from FMD,” said Ndlangamandla, emphasizing that even calves born after the first vaccination must also be vaccinated.
The process is scheduled to start at 5:30 a.m. daily, and farmers are encouraged to cooperate fully to ensure no animals are left unvaccinated. The ministry noted that the vaccination campaign forms part of the government’s long-term strategy to safeguard livestock and the livelihoods of farmers in affected regions.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, inspections conducted in 72 dip tanks across the Shiselweni region revealed that cattle had been fully vaccinated against FMD, with no new cases reported so far. The ministry also hinted at possible easing of movement restrictions following encouraging results from ongoing surveillance inspections.
The second dose must be administered 30 days after the first to ensure full protection against FMD.
Vaccination schedule: today: Mdumako, Mhlumeni, Nsingweni, Masogwase, Mahambaeni, Makhulushisenga, Sagula, Phumile
Wednesday: Mthuni, Mahoshe, Ngcamphalala, Gangakhulu, Lukhatsi, Phophonyane
Thursday: Phophonyane, Lukhutsi, Mbabala, Nunes, Hongamanzi
Discussion about this post