A leading veterinarian has warned that the suspension of South Africa’s foot-and-mouth disease-free status will have severe economic consequences for livestock producers and associated industries.
The warning by Dr Peter Oberem, chief executive of Afrivet, comes as KwaZulu-Natal farmers are coming to terms with a clampdown on the movement of cloven-hoofed animals in several regions. This, after an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) was identified in cattle in Mtubatuba, about 200km north of Durban.
“To lose this FMD-free accreditation has very severe consequences on the… country’s ability to trade internationally with livestock, livestock products and even sometimes other agricultural products,” said Oberem.
FMD is described as a highly contagious viral disease of cloven-hooved animals and livestock, including cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and certain game species.
Oberem explains the disease is severe in cattle and pigs that have never been exposed to, or vaccinated against FMD, such as dairy cattle in Europe. However, it is relatively mild and often almost symptomless in the local, indigenous cattle of the southern African region.
Affected regions in KZN
Thoko Didiza, the agriculture, land reform and rural development minister, confirms that the latest FMD outbreak was detected during routine disease surveillance in Mtubatuba.
In a media release, she said local veterinary officials initially noticed cattle showing suspicious lesions at one communal location.
To curb the spread of the disease, Didiza prohibited the movement of animals in the district municipalities of King Cetshwayo and Umkhanyakude, as well as the local municipalities of Nongoma, Ulundi and Pongola in the Zululand district municipality.
Oberem pointed out that South Africa has suffered repeated crises caused by FMD outbreaks over the past 20 years, perhaps more than any other southern African country, with the exception of Zimbabwe.
This outbreak is the fourth since 2000, following hot on the heels of the previous one in Limpopo resulting in the country losing its international FMD-free zone recognition.
Recognising the likelihood of another outbreak, Afrivet has, over the past few years, teamed up with the late Gavin Thomson, a professor in veterinary virology.
Thomson, who died last month, was lauded by the World Organisation for Animal Health for his commitment towards the economic inclusion of smallholder livestock farmers in regional and international trade.
Proposed FMD solutions
Earlier this month, Afrivet published a video and monograph called “Foot-and-mouth disease in South Africa: current problems and proposed solutions.” This new documentary about FMD is dedicated to the memory of Thomson.
Oberem believes this publication could help pave the way for South Africa’s fight against FMD.
“In this, we examine what has been the policy since the 1940’s and, given the fast pace of technological advances in diagnostic tools and vaccines, propose a new look at policies that have obviously not been adequate for some time now as the situation, much as we see with Covid-19, is different in southern Africa with so many cases being subclinical and difficult to detect.
“We propose, together with modern cow-side diagnostics, carcass testing and vaccination, a move to ‘commodity-based’ FMD trade controls as opposed to the geographically based one currently applied.”
This could allow for certification of products as being FMD-free – even from FMD positive areas, believes Oberem.
The respected veterinarian, however, cautioned that under the current circumstances, Afrivet advises all owners of cloven-hooved livestock to institute the strictest of biosecurity measures.
He described this as “measures that we have all learned so well under Covid-19 restrictions.” Sanitation measures and comprehensive social distancing protocols are needed, even for farm animals.
- Social distancing: Do not introduce new animals into your flocks and herds.
- Sanitisation: Effective hygiene and disinfectants are advised. This includes A.C.T. Long Acting Disinfectant, which is said to last for up to seven days on certain surfaces, and masks.
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