Brucellosis outbreak hits KZN farmers

FARMERS are concerned over the brucellosis outbreak in KwaZulu-Natal which caused abortions and infertility, in both women and livestock.

Earlier this week, the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Dard) reported that more than 400 cows had tested positive in the northern part of KwaZulu-Natal since the start of the year.

Dard said the bacterial disease caused abortion, infertility, reduced milk production and weak joints in both livestock and humans.

Department spokesperson Mack Makhathini said brucellosis threatened to trigger great reproductive health, nutrition and economic failures for the majority of rural animal holders and consumers of raw meat or fresh milk from infected dairy cows, goats and sheep, province-wide.

“According to the KZN Dard veterinary services’ investigators’ report, the status of brucellosis in KZN indicates 635 positive cases since three years ago. There were 73 in 2018, 139 in 2019 and 423, this current year,” said Makhathini..

Yesterday, Dard MEC Bongi Sithole-Moloi held an engagement at uMkhanyakude District to report on the outcomes of the vaccination awareness and educational drive of government, together with all role players in the private sector and communities, in pursuing a common goal of reducing the occurrence of bovine brucellosis.

A farmer in Harding said he and other farmers had discussed the bacteria and they were concerned about it, especially since it was not monitored by the government. |