By Maile Matsimela
The Free State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has announced the Kroonstad Provincial Veterinary Laboratory (KPVL) has obtained full South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) accreditation for testing of bovine brucellosis. This milestone comes after almost 10 years of perseverance and hard work by the laboratory.
Bovine brucellosis is a zoonotic disease, which means it affects both humans and animals. With this achievement, the Department will be able to assist farmers to prevent huge economic losses, and the public will have safe meat and dairy products.
KPVL is now part of the few accredited laboratories in the country. The Department expressed pride in this achievement as it provides a visible commitment to improve the quality of products and services, ensure a safe environment and continually work to reduce risks.
The accreditation is particularly important for the region’s cattle farmers, who have long struggled with the economic impact of brucellosis. The disease can cause abortions in infected cattle, reduced milk production, and infertility, resulting in substantial financial losses.
For humans, the disease can cause undulant fever, joint pain and other serious health complications, typically contracted through consumption of unpasteurised dairy products or direct contact with infected animals.
