The Northern Cape MEC for Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Norman Shushu is urging farmers to vaccinate their livestock against insect-borne diseases especially Rift Valley fever.
According to the World Health organisation (WHO), Rift Valley fever is a viral zoonois that primarily affects animals but also has the capacity to infect humans.
Infection can cause severe disease in both animals and humans, leading to high rates of disease and death. The current heavy rainfalls are making it possible for the disease carrying mosquitoes to emerge and the only way to stop or limit the impact of an outbreak is for farmers to vaccinate their livestock before the outbreak to allow for a build-up of immunity.
The Northern Cape province reported an outbreak of Rift Valley fever in the Kakamas area in October 2009, where five cattle died over a period of a week. The Free State province is currently experiencing an outbreak of the same disease. Hence farmers are urged to vaccinate as to vaccinate during an outbreak will be too late.
There are two types of vaccine namely: Live attenuated virus and inactivates vaccines (source: Bio Onderstepoort Products).
Information about inactivated (death) and live Rift Valley fever vaccine
Advantages inactivated
* safe in pregnant animals
* can be used in outbreak situations
Disadvantages (inactivated)
* short duration of immunity
* need more than one inoculation
* poor colostral immunity
* need more antigen and longer production
Advantages (live)
* highly efficacious
* need only one inoculation
* ease of production and cost effective
* shorter production lead times
* able to produce large quantities
Disadvantages (live)
* not advisable to use during outbreaks
* teratogenic for foetus or abortions
* it cannot be used during high production cycle
* potential risk reverse to virulence
Issued by: Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Northern Cape Provincial Government
1 March 2010
Source: Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Northern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.agrinc.gov.za/)
