Officials from the Office of Animal Health and Production in Siem Reap province and local authorities have been vaccinating cattle against several diseases, especially the lumpy skin disease (LSD).

The campaign was run from late August to early September using three vaccines at the same time to vaccinate cattle in the province.

Prum Vich, head of the animal health and production office, told The Post on September 7 that officials targeted areas in the province where there have been LSD outbreaks.

Vaccinations are free of charge, including for Haemorrhagic Septicaemia, foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and LSD.

“The vaccination campaign is one of several programmes implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries that targets Cambodia’s livestock sector. Vaccines are given twice a year to animals – before and after the rainy season. Now, the LSD vaccine is also included,” he said.

According to Vich, as of the beginning of this month, more than 15,000 cattle in the province had been vaccinated against Haemorrhagic Septicaemia. The government’s target is 50,000 cattle per year.

He said officials continue to vaccinate animals and request that farmers take care of livestock and to report immediately to authorities when animals are sick or die from illness.

“The ministry has a budget to provide these vaccines every year to the people’s animal production sector. We make sure animals are healthy and keep mortality to a minimum. Once we can protect them, that will benefit people who can sell their animals to support their livelihoods,” he said.

According to figures from the agriculture department, the total number of cattle in Siem Reap is about 245,000. As of August 20, there were 720 cattle infected with LSD, six of them had died.

Vich said there are currently no new cases of LSD.