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FOLLOWING the outbreak of the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) ,which was confirmed on a farm in the Molemole Local Municipality of Capricorn District, in Limpopo Province, the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, Rural Development, Environment and Nature Conservation has put measures in place to stop the spread of the disease in  to the Northern Cape Province.

 

On 1st November 2019, animals in a farm located in the previous FMD free zone of South Africa were found to have been infected by the disease.

This is after samples were collected and FMD was confirmed by the Onderstepoort Veterinary Research Transboundary Animal Disease Programme.

FMD is a highly contagious viral disease that affects cattle, pigs (domestic and wild), sheep, goats, and other cloven-hoofed animals. Signs of disease in animals may include depressed animals, sores in the mouth of animals causing reluctance to eat, and lameness. The disease does not affect humans and it is safe to consume products of cloven-hoofed animals, such as meat and milk.

Foot and Mouth Disease is mainly spread by the movement of infected animals. Uncontrolled movement could thus spread the disease over significant distance.  All livestock keepers should remain vigilant and report any suspected case to their local state or private veterinarian.

Cooperation between all members of the farming community should ensure a rapid and effective resolution of this outbreak.

Live auctions in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Gauteng and North West Provinces have been suspended with immediate effect until further notice.

The immediate concern is that the Northern Cape Province might experience an influx of animals from the affected provinces

 

Measures which are  put in place in the Northern Cape are as follows:

• Farmers are advised to practice strict biosecurity measures.
• It is recommended that no hoofed animals be introduced on farms unless the source is known and the animals appear healthy on clinical inspection.
• Any suspicion should be reported to the nearest state veterinarian as soon as possible.
• It is further advised that farmers obtain a veterinary health certificate from the herd of origin confirming that the herd was inspected and that the animals originated from an unaffected area.

Veterinary officials in the province have been instructed to attend all the auctions in their respective areas and to conduct clinical inspection. Farmers and the auctioneers are thus requested to give the officials their full cooperation and support.

 

Enquiries: Zandisile Luphahla

Media Liaison Officer

083 391 5388

 

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