Vaccination of Pigs Must Be Continuous

Prince Dr. Agbaw Takang Robert, South West Regional Delegate of MINEPIA, told Cameroon Tribune in an interview.

What's the difference between the African swine fever and the swine erysipelas?

In pigs we have two main diseases; the erysipelas and the swine fever. The swine fever has no cure and no vaccine; that is there is no treatment. But for the erysipelas there's treatment and a vaccine against it. And that's effectively why we are launching this vaccination campaign here in Mile 4, Limbe. The Confederation of South West Pigs Farmers is represented to disseminate the information and knowledge acquired during this launch.

After this exercise, will pig farmers be followed up by MINEPIA technicians and officials free of charge?

The farmers are supposed to be followed up free of charge. It is our duty, our doors are wide open. If the farmers don't come, then they are doing a disservice to the government of Cameroon. I have distributed motor-bikes to the field level staff. The government is doing much to ease our work. Our work is not supposed to be in the office but in the field.

Pig farmers are worried about low production and outbreaks of the swine erysipelas in some parts of the South West.

What are you doing about these outbreaks and why is the vaccine not distributed free of charge?

I confirm that there's an outbreak. Our field level staff are already taking care of the outbreaks. I should emphasise that vaccination must be a continuous process. This vaccine has been greatly subsidised by the government. Normally, the farmers used to vaccinate at the cost of FCFA 500 per dose and they are supposed to make at least three doses to be sure of its affectivity. Presently, a dose is only CFA 300.