Reports of Foot and Mouth from Limpopo
Cases of Foot and Mouth have been reported in Limpopo. Foot and Mouth Disease is mainly spread by the movement of infected animals, and uncontrolled movement could thus spread the disease over significant distance. Here's the latest update.
On 1 November 2019, veterinary services were alerted to clinical signs which suspicions of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in a herd of cattle, on a farm in the Molemole district of Limpopo Province. This farm is located in the previous FMD free zone of South Africa. Samples were collected, and FMD was confirmed on 1 November 2019 by the Onderstepoort Veterinary Research Transboundary Animal Disease Programme. Further identification of the strain is in process, to determine the likely origin of the virus.
The affected farm was meanwhile placed under quarantine. Clinical examination of animals on the farm is being conducted, to determine the prevalence of the disease on the identified farm. Measures were also implemented to prevent direct or indirect contact between the different groups of animals on the farm. Backward and forward tracing is in process to determine possible origin of the virus, as well as locations to which the disease might have spread.
FMD is a highly contagious viral disease which affects cattle, pigs (domestic and wild), sheep, goats, and other cloven hoofed animals. Signs of disease in animals may include depressed animals, sores in the mouth of animals causing reluctance to eat, and lameness. The disease does not affect human beings and it is safe to consume products of cloven hoofed animals, such as meat and milk.
Monitoring
Following the outbreak's identification, the farm was quarantined. Currently, production facilities, feedlots and abattoirs are being monitored in Molemole District and adjacent areas.
International trade
The Molemole outbreak is adjacent to the Vhembe outbreak of January 2019, and thus close monitoring and vigilance in the Limpopo Province enabled rapid detection of the incident. All control measures for the Limpopo Province are still in place. A number of agreements were reached with trade partners to trade in safe commodities following the January outbreak; the Department of Agriculture has sought assurances that these agreements still hold.
Temporary ban on auctions
Live auctions in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Gauteng and North West Provinces are suspended with immediate effect until further notice. The ministry of Agriculture will gazette this in the next few days.
Advice to farmers
Farmers in the entire South Africa are advised to practice strict biosecurity measures. All movements of animals should be done under close veterinary supervision, and movements should be restricted as far as possible. Farmers should seek assurances of the health status of any animals that they wish to bring onto their farms, prior to such introductions. It is further advised that they obtain a veterinary health certificate from the herd of origin, confirming that the herd was inspected and found to be disease-free, and that the animals originated from an unaffected area.