Mogale City Local Municipality’s Economic Development Services, in collaboration with the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, recently hosted an awareness session at Centenary Hall to educate farmers from the greater West Rand about foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).

What is FMD?

According to Mogale City’s senior communications practitioner, Tendani Shavani, the disease is a severe and highly contagious viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and certain wildlife species.

The virus is found in bodily fluids, including saliva, urine, faeces and milk, and can also spread through the air from infected animals.

Although FMD does not affect humans, it is a trade-sensitive disease with serious economic consequences. It can cause reduced growth, weight loss and decreased milk production. While most animals recover, many remain weakened, and mortality rates can reach up to 20% among young animals.

How to identify FMD

Common symptoms include:

• fever
• blister-like sores on the tongue, lips and inside the mouth
• lesions on teats and between the hooves

Due to its severity, FMD is regulated under the Animal Diseases Act 35 of 1984. The Act allows for strict control measures, including isolation and movement restrictions, which are enforced by Veterinary Services.

South Africa lost its FMD-free status in 2019 following outbreaks in Limpopo. The disease remains highly transmissible and has no cure, making prevention essential.

Also read: West Rand farmers gather as foot and mouth cases rise

Prevention and reporting

During the awareness session, farmers were urged to strengthen biosecurity measures and report any suspected cases immediately to state veterinarians via the hotline: 0860 246 640.

Key preventative measures include:

• Do not buy animals from infected areas or unknown sources
• Comply with all veterinary movement restrictions
• Verify the health status of animals before purchasing
• Do not move animals showing signs of illness
• Be cautious when buying at auctions where animals come from multiple sources
• Isolate newly acquired animals for at least 28 days before introducing them to existing livestock

Through initiatives such as this awareness session, Mogale City, with the support of the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, aims to equip farmers with critical information to protect livestock, safeguard livelihoods and strengthen the local agricultural sector. By working together and prioritising prevention, communities can play a key role in combating the spread of this disease.