Farmers advised to vaccine cattle against blackleg disease

The total impact of the floods over the last couple of weeks is still undefined, but what we do know is that livestock is among the many sectors affected. Today the ‘Flood 2008 command team for livestock’ issued a release strongly recommending that cattle farmers in affected areas vaccinate their stock against blackleg disease. The flood increases the risk of an outbreak as contaminated soil may have been moved into Belize via the waters. The highly fatal blackleg disease affects young cattle by producing an acute infection which results in blood poisoning. Once infected, the animal usually dies within twelve to forty-eight hours. Because of the speed of which the disease kills, individual treatment becomes useless. Blackleg can be prevented by vaccination, which is available at most farm supply stores. Farmers are encouraged to use the vaccine on their cattle if they have not been vaccinated in the last six months. The ‘Flood 2008 Incident Command Team for Livestock’ is comprised of members from BAHA, the Ministry of Agriculture, Belize Livestock Producers Association, and Belize Poultry Association.