WC govt continues fight against foot-and-mouth disease with 50k vaccines

The Western Cape government said it is continuing its fight against foot-and-mouth disease.

It said the latest batch of 50,000 vaccines procured will boost efforts to contain the outbreak.

In March, around 8,000 doses were delivered, bringing the total to approximately 170,000 doses received at the time.

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With the latest arrival, the overall number of doses now stands at about 220,000.

Western Cape Agriculture’s Dr Mogale Sebopetsa said collaboration between the provincial government and the private sector has made this possible.

"This shows partnership that government and the private sector could work together clearly to break the back of foot-and-mouth disease, and we're determined that indeed, with this partnership and the ecosystem that is in place we will break the back of foot-and-mouth disease."

The additional 50,000 foot-and-mouth disease vaccines have arrived at Cape Town International Airport.

The Western Cape Department of Agriculture received the shipment on Friday.

Sebopetsa said the government, working with the private sector, is confident it can contain the outbreak.

"We're here to receive 50,000 doses of Biogenesis Vago vaccines, that is going to boost the work we're doing here right in the province to contain foot and mouth disease."