Online Reporter
CAPE TOWN. – South Africa’s Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen said yesterday nearly 4,4 million cattle had been vaccinated as part of a nationwide rollout in response to foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks.
Speaking at a media briefing at Parliament in Cape Town, Steenhuisen said the vaccine acquisition programme was the largest ever undertaken by the country.
“Since February this year, South Africa has procured 13,5 million doses of FMD vaccine and as of May 28, we have vaccinated just under 4,4 million animals across the country,” he said.
Last week, according to Steenhuisen, South Africa received 3,5 million doses of FMD vaccine from Argentinean manufacturer Biogenesis Bago, and he said the additional supply would strengthen the country’s capacity to accelerate the vaccination rollout in affected and high-risk areas.
The minister added that the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority has also approved local company Dunevax to import 14 million doses of the Dollvet vaccine from Türkiye. – Xinhua
