Serological evidence of vaccination and perceptions concerning Foot-and-Mouth Disease control in cattle at the wildlife-livestock interface of the Kruger National Park, South Africa

Publication date: 1 November 2017 Source:Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Volume 147 Author(s): D.D. Lazarus, G.T. Fosgate, O.L. van Schalkwyk, R.E.J. Burroughs, L. Heath, F.F. Maree, B. Blignaut, B. Reininghaus, A. Mpehle, O. Rikhotso, G.R. Thomson Communal livestock farming areas adjoining the Greater Kruger National Park Area within South Africa are part of the Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) Protection Zone with Vaccination due to the proximity to wildlife reservoirs. FMD and its control affect the productivity of resource-poor farmers who often depend on livestock for their livelihoods. A cross-sectional study was performed with the objectives to evaluate the perceptions of farmers concerning FMD control, estimate the proportion of cattle with presumed protective antibody titres against FMD, as well as the proportion of herds with adequate herd immunity at the wildlife-livestock interface within Mpumalanga Province. One hundred and four farmers were interviewed with 73% (76/104) being cattle owners and the remainder hired cattle herders. The majority of respondents (79%, 82/104) reported a high level of satisfaction with the current animal health programmes in general. The educational level of the respondents varied by satisfaction level: the median (interquartile range; IQR) education level was standard 9 (2–12) for non-satisfied respondents, standard 3 (0–6) for little satisfied and standard 7 (2–11) for very satisfied respondents (P=0.036). Animals are ...
Source: Preventive Veterinary Medicine - Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research