SA gets ready for vaccination drive to combat bird flu and foot-and-mouth disease

By Akani Nkuna

In a major shift with wide-reaching implications for the agricultural sector, the Agriculture Department will embark on the country’s first mass poultry vaccination campaign to combat avian influenza.

The department has secured vaccine stocks, reinforced cold chain infrastructure and is implementing strict traceability and reporting systems as part of the national preparedness plan to protect the local poultry industry and safeguard food security.

“Our vaccination team, comprised of poultry specialist vets from the University of Pretoria, along with the Agricultural Research Council, has received a list of farms to be vaccinated from the poultry industry and is prioritising high risk areas and commercial flocks to contain the virus and prevent further culling,” said Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen.

A total of 50 animal health technicians have been appointed on short-term contracts to assist with the vaccination rollout, with their induction and refresher training set to begin next week.