Agriculture minister John Steenhuisen underscored the critical importance of biosecurity measures, reflecting on the significant risks that foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) poses to local production and trade, both nationally and internationally.
The department of agriculture says it is actively collaborating with all relevant stakeholders to implement stringent biosecurity protocols to manage the ongoing FMD outbreak in the Eastern Cape. Continuous coordination with the provincial department of agriculture, rural development and agrarian reform is ensuring that FMD control measures are enforced to prevent the spread of the disease within the province.
Furthermore, efforts are being made in partnership with the Western Cape department of agriculture to prevent the disease from reaching the province. The investigation into the origin and extent of the FMD outbreak in the Eastern Cape is ongoing, with 23 farms in the Humansdorp area and one farm in East London confirmed as positive for FMD.
The Eastern Cape provincial veterinary services have placed affected locations under quarantine, with comprehensive epidemiological investigations underway. Neighbouring farms and linked locations are under precautionary quarantine, pending clinical and serological assessments to determine their FMD status.
To curb the spread of the disease, 46 applications for vaccination of non-infected farms have been received, with 30 farms approved for vaccination. This initiative aims to further reduce the risk of disease transmission.
Prioritising vaccination and biosecurity
Seventeen additional applications for voluntary vaccination are under review, with prioritisation given to farms within a 10-km radius of positive cases. The joint operations committee on FMD has emphasised the use of available resources to maximise the number of farms vaccinated in the shortest possible time.
Farmers are strongly advised to maintain rigorous biosecurity practices to protect their herds from infection. Section 11 of the Animal Diseases Act, 1984 (Act No. 35 of 1984) mandates that owners or managers of animals take all reasonable steps to prevent infection and spread of disease.
In line with this, a regulation implemented in October 2022 requires that cloven-hoofed livestock be accompanied by a health declaration during movement, and newly introduced cattle, sheep, and goats must be kept separate from resident herds for at least 28 days.
FMD is classified as a controlled animal disease under the Animal Diseases Act, 1984, which prescribes control measures such as isolation and movement restrictions, enforced by veterinary services.
Any suspicious symptoms, including salivation, blisters in the mouth, limping, or hoof lesions, should be reported immediately to the local state veterinarian, and affected animals must not be moved under any circumstances.
READ NEXT: EC govt. supports Zilandana farmers after devastating veld fires
