LIMPOPO – Corridor disease, also known as “buffalo disease”, was recently diagnosed in cattle by veterinarians from the Phalaborwa Animal Clinic, Dr Gerrit Scheepers and Dr Jacob Dirsuwei.

The outbreak occurred in the Harmonie area, where there was contact between suspected infected buffalo and cattle.

The causative organism, Theileria parva, was later confirmed by Onderstepoort.

The disease is transmitted by the bite of an infected brown ear tick, which has fed on an infected buffalo and then bitten susceptible cattle. Infected buffalo are asymptomatic carriers of the disease for life.

Acute deaths amongst cattle on one specific farm were reported.

Symptoms observed included loss of appetite, diarrhoea, ocular discharge, high fever (>40°C), laboured breathing with foam coming from the nose just before death.

There was a high mortality rate (approximately 80%), and cattle typically died within 3–4 days after the first symptoms appeared.

Corridor disease is a notifiable and controlled disease. Therefore, strict control and quarantine measures are implemented in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and Veterinary Services.

Game farmers, buffalo breeders, and cattle owners can contact Scheepers at 015 781 0653 or 082 920 9934.