WC ramps up foot and mouth vaccination drive

THE Western Cape's fight against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has received a major boost after 100000 additional vaccine doses arrived at Cape Town International Airport, allowing authorities to accelerate vaccinations across key livestock regions.

- MURRAY SWART [e-mail]

The latest shipment, which arrived on Tuesday night, will be distributed across the West Coast, Cape Winelands and Garden Route, where the provincial government is intensifying efforts to contain the outbreak.

The Western Cape government said the vaccination drive is being coordinated through a provincial "war room", which meets regularly to monitor progress and manage the response.

So far, 48612 animals have been vaccinated across the province, with 276 vaccination sites established and 29 private veterinarians assisting state veterinarians with the roll-out.

With the latest delivery, the Western Cape has now received 162 120 doses of FMD vaccines.