Quthing __ In an effort to protect livestock against bluetongue disease locally known as 'boloutomo' Farmers are advised to vaccinate their animals.

Bluetongue is a viral disease that affects sheep, cattle and goats.

In an interview, the District Veterinary Officer from department of Agriculture Food Security and Nutrition Nutrition Dr. 'Makhanyane Mohapi said livestock from areas that were attacked by bluetongue last year are more prone to get infected by the disease.

Dr Mohapi said symptoms of bluetongue disease include swelling in mouth and tongue that also become blue in colour, excessive salivation, ulcers in mouth and nose, limpness and depression, low appetite and weight loss.

She stated that disease is transmitted through contact and a pregnant infected animal could transmit the disease to the foetus. 

Dr. Mohapi said vaccination is the best preventive measure against the disease, and medicine for vaccination is available at the department Agriculture Food Security and Nutrition. 

She highlighted that in cases where livestock have been infected by bluetongue, they should be separated from healthy ones, quarantined and treated, adding that the owner should visit the nearest Agricultural Resource Centre for assistance.

She appealed to farmers to keep their kraals clean and always inspect their livestock for timely recognition of various diseases and ticks locally known as 'libosoleise' that could put animal health at risk.

Bluetongue disease was lastly reported in March last year. The cases of bluetongue were from various villages in six Agricultural Resource Centres namely; Mphaki, Makoae, Tlatlametsi, Koali, Qomoqomong, Central and Tele.