In conditions of foot and mouth disease, strict control over movement is maintained – LNN

The Department of Agriculture says strict movement controls remain in place in the Disease Management Area (DMA) in the Eastern Cape and KZN to prevent the external spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks in both provinces.

While outbreaks in all other previously affected provinces have been eliminated and officially closed by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), focused efforts to control and contain the disease in these two areas continue.

The foot and mouth disease outbreak in the Eastern Cape was first detected in May and affected 37 farms in the Humansdorp region and one farm in East London.

In addition, 36 farms have been vaccinated to reduce the spread of the virus and mitigate clinical symptoms, and 96,906 cattle and 635 sheep have been vaccinated since the outbreak began.

The department said the DMA, announced in July, remains in effect.

“The movement of animals into, through or out of this area is restricted and permitted only with the permission of the State Veterinary Office. Since September 19, no new cases have been registered, which indicates that the circulation of the virus is decreasing,” the department said in a statement.

Foot and mouth disease has spread to Ufongolo municipality

In KZN, foot and mouth disease has been reported to have spread to the Ufongolo Local Municipality in northern Zululand District.

As a result, existing DMA boundaries are being reviewed and will be expanded to include new affected areas and identified risk areas.

“Since the outbreak began in May 2021, KZN has recorded 155 cases of foot and mouth disease in the South African Territories 2. Of these, 17 outbreaks have been managed and closed through WOAH.

“However, 133 active outbreaks remain in community reservoirs, several small farms and five game reserves located in the immediate area,” the department said.

DMA with modified boundaries remains active

In an effort to control the spread of the disease, the department said the DMA created in 2021 in Kazakhstan, with boundaries changed in 2022, remains active, while the DMA announced in the Eastern Cape in July continues to be respected.

Farmers on affected or vaccinated farms should take every precaution to prevent the spread of the disease, and farmers in unaffected areas are urged to maintain strict biosecurity to prevent foot and mouth disease from entering their farms or public pastures.

“The controlled slaughter of cattle from contaminated farms is permitted in designated abattoirs, subject to additional biosecurity measures. Meat from restricted farms is safe for human consumption, although it cannot be exported due to certification restrictions,” the department said.

The department also commended the efforts of farmers, including veterinarians, and other stakeholders in combating the disease and called for continued vigilance to protect the livestock sector.

An outbreak of foot and mouth disease in East London has been successfully contained.

“Animals on these farms are slaughtered in a controlled manner in designated abattoirs, ensuring that materials that pose a foot-and-mouth disease risk are properly handled or disposed of. Only safe products are released onto the local market,” the department said.

While meat from farms with FMD restrictions cannot be exported due to certification restrictions, the department has assured that the meat remains safe for human consumption.

“The Director of Animal Health has appointed three slaughterhouses to slaughter artiodactyl animals from farms under quarantine due to foot and mouth disease. Seventeen farms have been granted permission to undergo controlled slaughter at these abattoirs.

“In addition to the control measures within the DMA in the Eastern Cape, the July gazette notice stipulates that artiodactyl livestock may only travel through South Africa if accompanied by a health declaration from the owner confirming the health status of the animals at the moment of movement time.

“Although this has been a legal requirement since October 2022, its importance is again emphasized to prevent the further spread of foot and mouth disease,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za