Deputy Director of Animal Health Moetapele Letshwenyo recently said they even conducted tests on salivary samples of 45 cattle that were infected but no disease was diagnosed. "We are beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel." Even dipping in all the veterinary gates is expected to stop soon but searching of vehicles will continue because there are people who still attempt to cross with banned animal products, Letshwenyo said.
The deputy director said their main objective is to stop FMD vaccination completely in the zone so they can be able to access the market. The department has also reduced the number of vaccinations from four last year to three this year and intends to stop by 2009 after which they will continue with other tests before declaring the zone FMD free.
Letshwenyo said the reduction of vaccinations is necessary because the disease has declined. He noted that even the insertion of the bolus would soon be reintroduced in the area after it was stopped following the outbreak because it had the potential of transmitting the disease.
