In the Government Gazette of September 8, the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Thokozile Didiza repealed the control measure as described in the Government Gazette in May and August and prescribed new measures. Under the new measures, the movement of sheep, goats, and cattle is prohibited in the Limpopo Province Disease Management Area (DMA).

The Limpopo DMA includes areas between the international border between the Nwanedi river and the Kruger National Park fence while the eastern boundary is the Kruger National Park fence, a portion of the Musina local municipal area, the whole Thulamela local municipal area, the whole Colling Chabane local municipal area and portions of the Greater Giyani local municipal are and as well as a portion of the Greater Letaba local municipality.

Some good news for the Limpopo livestock farmers is that there has not been a new outbreak recorded in the province since June. The FMD outbreak in Limpopo started in March and included seven affected properties with the last positive case reported on June 13 according to the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak and surveillance update report released by the Department of Agriculture on September 19.

Also read: Foot and mouth disease found in Limpopo province

The report also states that three outbreaks were resolved in Limpopo. In contrast, North West province has 16 open outbreaks with two new positive cases reported on 15 September, Free State Province has 29 open outbreaks with five new positive cases reported in September and Gauteng has four open outbreaks with one new positive case also reported in September. The objective of the control measure remains the prevention of the spread of FMD through the movement of cattle, goats, and sheep in certain areas.

Vaccination campaigns for livestock continue in Limpopo and by September 12 close to 100 000 animals were vaccinated at 82 locations. According to the Directorate of Animal Health, the real danger of animals moving during the incubation period of the disease remains since the disease can remain undetected. For more information, please visit the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development offices. You can also call the Mopani District veterinary officials, Dr. KB Mohlabe on 072 553 0122 or Dr. Vonani Mashau on 066 079 4201. E-mail fmdpermitslimpopo@gmail.com to apply for the necessary permits to transport animals to and from the current disease management areas.