1 Jul 2009

Brucellosis outbreak in Fiji impacts on milk production

12:58 pm on 1 July 2009

Fiji dairy farmers from the Wainivesi area have had to stop supplying milk, after an out break of brucellosis.

Unpasteurised milk can transmit the brucellosis bacteria to humans.

Fiji's Ministry of Primary Industries has slaughtered more than 200 diseased cows, quarantined farms, and ordered vehicles to be disinfected .

Artificial Breeding programmes on dairy cattle in the affected areas have also been suspended by the Ministry.

Meanwhile, the Minister for Primary Industries Joketani Cokanasiga has told farmers that all Rewa Dairy products are safe for consumption as they have gone through the pasteurisation process.

The Fiji Cabinet has endorsed the plan of action by the Ministry to pursue a containment and eradication programme.

Funding for the eradication programme will be sourced from within the Ministry and technical assistance will be provided upon request from the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.