Zebaldt Ngaruka 

The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform provided close to N$800 000 for free vaccination against lumpy skin disease in the Otjozondjupa and Omaheke regions.

The ministry’s spokesperson, Jona Musheko said funds will enable the Directorate of Veterinary Services in the affected areas to conduct vaccination campaigns against the disease.

“This money will, among others, include materials such as syringes that will be needed in carrying out the vaccination campaign. It doesn’t include additional costs like travel allowance for staff members responsible for this campaign,” he said. 

A statement released by the ministry said farmers are urged to present all healthy cattle six months of age and older for vaccination at different vaccination points in the affected villages. 

The vaccination points will be announced through the respective state veterinary offices, and vaccination will be done at no cost.
Thus, farmers in the affected areas are reminded that the control measures stipulated in Veterinary Public Notifications 6 and 8 remain in place. 

The statement further called on the farmers to cooperate with the veterinary officials during the vaccination campaigns.

“This will ensure fast control of the disease and normalisation of farming activities in the two affected regions,” read the note. 

Asked whether there will be additional manpower or staff who will be needed to carry out the vaccination campaigns, Musheko said the ministry will mobilise staff from other districts to support the programme. 

On her part, the state veterinarian in Omaheke, Dr Seuakouje Veii, said the vaccination campaign is divided into three groups. 

The first group will commence with the vaccination campaign at Eiseb 3 on 30 July, and will proceed to Eiseb 4 on 31 July.

Eiseb 5 and Eiseb 6 will respectively be visited on 1 and 2 August, while Otjozongomi and Otjovakuru villages will be vaccinated on 5 and 6 August.

Group two will start at Okatemba 3 on 30 July and proceed to Okatemba 2 on 31 July. 

It will proceed to Otjikoto 5 on 1 August, Otjondangi on 2 August, and will end at Otjatjindjou on 5 August. 

Veii added that Group 3 will start at Otjiuamapeta on 30 July, Otjiuapehuri on 31 July, while Agarob Post 1 and Ourundu-Uozondjima, respectively, are set for 1 August and 2 August. 

The group will end its vaccination campaign at Otjozongombo village on 5 August. 

In Otjozondjupa region, Dr Rosalia Paulus, who is the state veterinarian in Okakarara district, said her team is ready to start tomorrow, which will run until 9 August. 

The farmers are requested to provide crush pens, better- known as manga, during the campaign, and manpower to assist in the process. 

The lumpy skin disease is of economic importance as it can cause a temporary reduction in milk production, temporary or permanent sterility in bulls, damage to hides, and, occasionally, death.
-zngaruka@yahoo.com