Foot-and-mouth disease outbreak: Biosecurity measures implemented

Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen says the department is working with all stakeholders to ensure that biosecurity measures are implemented to manage the current foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in the Eastern Cape.

Steenhuisen emphasises that biosecurity remains a priority for the department, noting that the disease poses a risk for local production and trade, both national and international.

The minister says the department is in constant engagement with the Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Agrarian Reform to ensure that FMD control measures are implemented, and that the disease does not spread within the province.

Noting the shared responsibilities for biosecurity implementation, the minster says the department is also in ongoing engagement with the Western Cape Department of Agriculture to ensure that the disease does not spread to that province.

The outbreak

He adds the investigation into the origin and extent of the FMD outbreak in the Eastern Cape continues.

“Twenty-three farms in the Humansdorp area and one farm in East London have been confirmed as positive for FMD. Locations confirmed to be positive for FMD were placed under quarantine by the Eastern Cape Provincial Veterinary Services.

“Full epidemiological investigations are continuing. Immediate neighbours and all linked locations have been placed under precautionary quarantine, pending clinical and serological investigation to determine their FMD status,” Steenhuisen explains.

The minister says a total of 46 applications to vaccinate non-infected farms were received, and of these, 30 farms were permitted to vaccinate, while 17 applications for voluntary vaccination have not yet been approved.

The minister adds that applications are considered for vaccination if the farms are within the 10km radius of a positive farm.

“The applications are prioritised to ensure that the farms at highest risk are vaccinated first. It was agreed during the Joint Operations Committee on FMD that the available personnel resources will be used in a manner that allows for the maximum number of farms to be vaccinated in the shortest time possible,” Steenhuisen explains.

‘Protect your own’

The department reiterates the call to farmers to observe biosecurity on their farms and to protect their own herds from becoming infected.

Section 11 of the Animal Diseases Act 35 of 1984 imposes a legal duty on any owner or manager of animals to take all reasonable steps to prevent their animals from becoming infected with any disease and to prevent the spread of any disease from their animals or land to other animals or other properties.

In line with this, a regulation was prescribed in October 2022 by the minister of agriculture, stipulating that cloven hoofed livestock may only be moved if accompanied by a health declaration from the owner of the animals, attesting to their health at the time of moving.

In addition, all cattle, sheep, and goats newly brought onto a farm must be kept separated from the resident herds for at least 28 days.

FMD is a controlled animal disease in terms of the Animal Diseases Act and the act prescribes certain control measures, like isolation and movement control, that are being enforced by veterinary services.

“Should any suspicious clinical symptoms (salivation, blisters in the mouth, limping or hoof lesions) be seen, it should be reported to the local state veterinarian immediately and such animals must not be moved under any circumstances,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za