Local farmers take a stance against Anthrax Disease

Local cattle farmers gathered their herds together to receive their annual shot against Anthrax Disease.

The government sponsored initiative to eradicate sickly cattle which can inevitably be sold to the public saw Clewer farmers bring together their herds, on Tuesday June 11, so they could be vaccinated.

Anthrax Disease commonly known in Afrikaans as ‘miltsiekte’, is a highly contagious and fatal disease which can affect domestic and wild animals.

It is caused by the bacteria called bacillus anthracis.

The bacteria produces resistant spores which can survive in the soil for many years, but become infective once they gain entry into an animal or human body.

It is characterised by sudden death, widespread bleeding from mouth/nose/anus, and swelling of animal.

For local farmers this was important for them, keeping up their pedigree of selling healthy animal.

Isaac Ncumalo, a cattle owner said this was them going the extra mile in taking care of their animals, “We want to make sure that the animals we sell to people are healthy and if that means getting them vaccinated then so be it.”

Thapelo Mogonediwa, animal health technician under State Veterinary Services, administered the vaccines to the cattle and shed more light on the disease.

“The disease can be transmitted from an infected animal to a human by direct contact or through eating of infected meat. Humans can also be affected by contact or inhalation of infective spores in the environment” he said.

In humans, the disease manifests itself by ulcers in the skin, respiratory disease or gastrointestinal disease.

Antibiotics are used to treat the disease depending on the severity and type of the infection.

Routine vaccination of livestock is the most effective way to control the spread of anthrax.

Livestock, including cattle, sheep and goats are vaccinated annually and the State Veterinary Services provides this vaccine and service to indigent communities free of charge.