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Source : DVS Files 

Despite the Government’s substantial investment in the fight against this disease, and despite the measures put in place by the DVS to control FMD, there were still inconsistencies and inefficiencies that resulted in the frequent occurrence of the disease. The Department of Veterinary Services used the cordon fence strategy as its back bone in the fight against the FMD. However, these fences are often damaged by elephants, farmers, as well as illegal immigrants leading to incursions of both buffaloes and cattle into prohibited areas. The DVS also experiences low vaccination coverage which leaves cattle susceptible to the FMD virus. Improper fence maintenance as well as indications of inadequate supervision of fence patrols, disease control gates personnel and maintenance work observed by the audit team during the preliminary study were all clear indications of the gaps in the DVS’s efforts of ensuring effectiveness of the measures devised to ensure sustained protection of livestock from possible FMD outbreak. Based on the gaps outlined above, a main study was therefore undertaken to fully assess the effectiveness of the FMD control measures used by the DVS. 

