The department of agriculture, land reform and rural development is urgently calling on livestock farmers and owners across all provinces to limit the movement of cloven-hoofed animals amid an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the Eastern Cape. The outbreak has been confirmed on five farms in the Humansdorp and East London areas.
To prevent further spread of the disease, cloven-hoofed animals should only be moved when absolutely necessary. This is crucial considering that the East London farm sourced animals from multiple origins, potentially complicating the containment efforts. Restricting movement will enable the department to locate and quarantine additional affected properties that might otherwise go undetected.
FMD has a significant incubation period during which animals can appear healthy but are actually shedding the virus without showing clinical signs.
This makes early detection and containment even more critical.
The current outbreak was first reported on 30 April 2024, when clinical signs of FMD were observed on an index farm. Since then, FMD has been detected on four more farms in Humansdorp and one in East London. Laboratory tests at Onderstepoort Veterinary confirmed the presence of the SAT3 virus strain on these farms.
In response, the Eastern Cape Provincial Veterinary Services have quarantined all confirmed positive locations.
Stringent measures and biosecurity urged
A comprehensive epidemiological investigation is underway to trace the origin of the outbreak and identify other properties at risk. Immediate neighbours and connected locations have also been placed under precautionary quarantine, pending further investigation.
Affected farms have vaccinated their cattle and sheep against FMD to reduce the viral load. Farmers are strongly urged to implement stringent biosecurity measures to protect their herds from infection. According to Section 11 of the Animal Diseases Act, owners and managers have a legal duty to take all reasonable steps to prevent their animals from contracting and spreading diseases.
In October 2022, a regulation was established requiring that cloven-hoofed livestock may only be moved with a health declaration from the owner, attesting to their health at the time of moving. Furthermore, all newly introduced cattle, sheep, and goats must be kept separate from resident herds for at least 28 days.
FMD is a controlled animal disease under the Animal Diseases Act of 1984, which mandates certain control measures such as isolation and movement restrictions. Any signs of the disease – such as excessive salivation, blisters in the mouth, limping, or hoof lesions – must be reported immediately to the local state veterinarian, and the affected animals must not be moved under any circumstances.
Farmers are encouraged to remain vigilant and adhere to these guidelines to help contain the outbreak and protect the broader livestock industry.
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