Siavonga District Veterinary Officer, John Chiwama has disclosed that about 26,000 cattle have been vaccinated in the ongoing Anthrax vaccination exercise in three veterinary camps.

Dr. Chiwama says the department started the vaccination exercise with Sianyoolo, Chaanga and Manchvwa veterinary camps as they border the high-risk areas of Gwembe and Sinazongwe districts.

He said the vaccination is going on well as the department is now vaccinating cattle in Simamba veterinary camp which is expected to end in the third week of November.

Dr Chiwama stated that the exercise has been a success with a bit of resistance from some livestock farmers who received the Anthrax vaccination with mixed feelings.

“As a department, we managed to vaccinate our cattle against Anthrax in Sianyoolo, Chaanga, Manchvwa, we are still in Simamba vet camp and Siavonga central vet camp will be the last camp to vaccinate, the whole process may end around the second or third week of November,” he said.

And Siavonga District Commissioner, Geoffrey Jakopo called on livestock farmers to cooperate with Veterinary Officers that are conducting the vaccination exercise in the district, to support government’s efforts of providing quality livestock services to farmers.

Mr Jakopo said the response is overwhelming as so far 26,000 cattle have been vaccinated in Sianyoolo, Chaanga and Manchvwa veterinary camps as the exercise is still on-going.

“Our officers are now in Simamba veterinary, vaccinating cattle against Anthrax, after Simamba camp, our veterinary officers will be in Siavonga central veterinary camp, please livestock farmers cooperate with officers on the ground to support the government programme of protecting our livestock from Anthrax in the district,” he said.