Free State faces growing foot and mouth disease outbreak
With 17 confirmed foot and mouth disease cases across three Free State municipalities, authorities have imposed quarantines and movement restrictions to curb the spread and protect the livestock sector.
The Free State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has confirmed nine new cases of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in the province, bringing the total cases to 17.
Bloemfontein Courant reports that, according to the department, the province has four distinct outbreaks across three local municipalities, and vaccination of the infected farms has been prioritised.
“Movement restrictions have been implemented on all farms within a 10km radius of the infected farms, which have been placed under quarantine, and all farms within this radius have been notified and placed under precautionary quarantine until surveillance is completed to determine any further spread of the disease.”
Farmers and relevant stakeholders are urged to work together to stop the spread of the disease. This can be done by identifying and preventing any illegal movement of animals from areas under surveillance and reporting all suspected cases immediately.
“The longer surveillance has to continue, the longer precautionary quarantines will remain in place – increasing both the financial impact on farmers and the economic impact on the Free State as a whole,” the department said.
In addition, two communal grazing areas have been affected by the outbreak, which pose additional challenges when it comes to movement control. Movement control of vaccinated animals is more difficult due to shared grazing practices and the lack of adequate fencing in the area. Vaccination may have reduced the risk of disease spread, but it will not eliminate it.
“Effective control, therefore, requires intensified co-operation between farmers, communal leaders, local municipalities, industry, local communities and veterinary services to ensure that movement restrictions are respected and that the benefits of vaccination are fully realised.”
In line with Government Gazette No. 51512 of June 13 and the Animal Diseases Act 35 of 1984, all farmers, auctioneers and speculators are urged to:
- Restrict the movement of cloven-hoofed animals
- Adhere strictly to biosecurity measures, including disinfection of vehicles and equipment
- Quarantine any new livestock for 28 days before introduction to existing herds
- Keep accurate records of all animal movements and visitors to farms
- Report any suspect cases (including animals showing excessive salivation, mouth lesions or lameness) immediately to the local state veterinary office.
Areas affected and confirmed cases to date:
- Kroonstad outbreak (Moqhaka Municipality): Five confirmed cases
- Viljoenskroon outbreak (Moqhaka Municipality): Seven confirmed cases
- Deneysville outbreak (Metsimaholo Municipality): One confirmed case
- Cornelia/Frankfort outbreak (Mafube Municipality): Four confirmed cases
The World Organisation of Animal Health defines FMD as a ‘severe, highly contagious viral disease of livestock that has a significant economic impact. The disease affects cattle, swine, sheep, goats and other cloven-hoofed ruminants’.
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Read original story on www.bloemfonteincourant.co.za
