The department of agriculture is intensifying its response to the recent foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks in the Kouga and Kou-Kamma municipalities of the Eastern Cape.
Following the declaration of a disease management area last week, agriculture minister John Steenhuisen has established a rapid response team to manage current and future outbreaks under section 2(1) of the Animal Diseases Act.
Steenhuisen’s rapid response team is tasked with providing immediate support and critical decision-making assistance within the first 48 hours of an FMD outbreak. The team, comprising seven government and industry experts – Drs. Mpho Maja, Shaun Morris, J. Strydom, Patricia Froneman, Matlou Rabala, and Gerhard Neethling – will play a pivotal role in managing the disease’s spread and mitigating its impact.
The team’s responsibilities include ensuring regular communication with affected stakeholders, offering guidelines for handling milk, meat, and other products from the affected areas, and bringing in agricultural specialists to assess the economic impact on the region.
Farmer engagement and working groups
Steenhuisen has met with affected farmers to address their concerns and ensure that their voices are heard. In response, the department has formed three working groups, comprising joint technical, communications, and operational teams.
These groups are designed to enhance cooperation between the department, provincial authorities, and industry stakeholders, ensuring a unified approach to managing and resolving the outbreak.
There are encouraging signs that the outbreak is coming under control, according to a release issued by the department. The rate of new FMD cases has begun to decline, with the last clinical case reported in mid-July.
Currently, 30 farms have tested positive for the disease, and these farms are under quarantine. Vaccination efforts are ongoing to prevent the spread of the disease and lessen the severity of symptoms.
Additionally, pre-emptive vaccinations have been carried out on 37 farms deemed high-risk due to their proximity to infected areas. In total, over 92 000 cattle and nearly 600 sheep across 67 farms have been vaccinated, forming a critical part of the Department’s strategy to combat the disease.
Clarification on biosecurity and disease transmission
Meanwhile, the department says recent claims suggesting that FMD is spread by birds and rodents have caused some confusion. While theoretically possible, this mode of transmission is highly unlikely to significantly impact the current outbreak.
Effective biosecurity, including preventing contact between susceptible animals and maintaining rigorous cleaning and disinfection practices, remains the most reliable method to prevent the spread of FMD on farms.
All livestock owners in South Africa are reminded that health declarations are required for the movement of susceptible animals, regardless of their intended use. New arrivals of cattle, sheep, and goats must be isolated from resident herds for at least 28 days. This practice, mandated since October 2022, is essential for maintaining herd health and preventing disease transmission.
The department strongly advises livestock farmers nationwide to limit animal movements to essential cases only, allowing time to identify and quarantine potentially affected properties.
Farmers are also legally obligated to report any suspicious clinical symptoms – such as salivation, blisters in the mouth, limping, or hoof lesions – to the local state veterinarian immediately. Affected animals must not be moved.
Despite the outbreak, trade with most partners continues under agreed risk mitigation measures. The department says it is actively engaging with trade partners to discuss lifting restrictions on UHT milk exports from the DMA, given that these products are considered safe.
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