S. Sudan: VSF Germany and FAO to vaccinate 8,000 cattle

November 9, 2015 (BOR) – A three months vacination campaign targeting an estimated 8,000 heads of cattle is underway in Twic East county of South Sudan’s Jonglei state.

Veterinaries Sans Frontiers (VSF) Germany and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation( FAO) are conducting the initiative on animals and small ruminants in a region where majority of the rural population depend on livestock rearing activities.

The Twic East county commissioner, Dau Akoi said the three month project will enhance food security, reduce and eradicate the common diseases among animals in his county.

“We are targeting 8,000 heads of cattle, goats and sheep all together. The program would run for three months or more. This is because we want to improve level of food security in this place by ensuring proper care for the animals in the area”, Akoi explained.

A number of community health animal workers were trained on how to administer the vaccines, identify the symptoms of sickness in the animals and give the right treatment.

VSF will, as part of the program, vaccinate up to 2,000 animals while FAO will assist 6,000 animals within the period of three months or more according to the commissioner.

These year, however, no cases of Hemorrhagic Septicemia and East Coarse Fever were reported among animals. The vaccination is being administered free of charge.

“It is free of charge, no one would be expected to pay for anything. But if the community show their commitments to host the vaccinators, give them meals in areas where they will not be able to get food, since work would be intensive. That would be great”, said Dau.

(ST).