Cattle in Mossel Bay confirmed for foot-and-mouth disease, new cases suspected 

Following the confirmation of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in cattle tested on a dairy farm near Hartenbos on yesterday, new suspected cases have arisen.

Mossel Bay Advertiser reports a joint statement regarding the new cases were released by the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), Agri Western Cape and the Western Cape Government (WCG).

“Livestock on two farms adjacent to the index farm are showing lesions. Samples have been collected from several livestock on these premises, and test results are expected later this week,” said Dr Leana Janse van Rensburg, a state veterinarian.

The Hartenbos dairy farm is currently under official quarantine.

According to the statement, once Janse van Rensburg and her response team have visited a farm where suspicious lesions are observed in livestock, they will not visit any other farms for a minimum of three days. 

“This precautionary measure is implemented to minimise the risk of potential cross-contamination and prevent the spread of the disease between farms,” reads the statement.

Livestock at farms where lesions have been noted will be vaccinated to prevent the further spread of FMD and to limit the viral load possibly present in suspect herds.

National crisis 

The Mossel Bay cases are part of a wider national outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, with KwaZulu-Natal currently the epicentre. According to The Witness, KZN has recorded over 200 confirmed cases, with infections spreading across all districts, putting pressure on food security and rural livelihoods. Farmer’s Weekly reported today that an outbreak in the Kuruman district of the Northern Cape has now been officially confirmed, marking a significant development in the ongoing national crisis. 

Biosecurity and movement restrictions
The statement about the Mossel Bay outbreak says that biosecurity on farms remains the responsibility of each owner.

In cases where cattle need to cross public roads, this poses a significant biosecurity risk, said Janse van Rensburg. 

“Uncontrolled access to farms must not be permitted and strict measures should be implemented to ensure that animals remain within property boundaries.”

Appropriate measures, including the disinfection of road surfaces after animals have crossed, must be applied as vehicles driving through contaminated areas can inadvertently spread the virus to other locations.

Although no livestock movement permits have been formally announced at this stage, strict restrictions on the movement of livestock within a 10km radius of the FMD-affected farm remain in force.

Janse van Rensburg added that provisional quarantine notices would be issued to farms within the 10km radius from today.

“Multiple control points have been established around the affected area and are staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to ensure compliance and to contain the spread of the disease.”

Cattle transporters are reminded to keep all required documentation on hand, including:
• owner declaration
• buyer undertaking
• certificates issued under Sections 6 and 8 of the Stock Theft Act

Producers are urged to review and strengthen their own biosecurity measures and to report all cloven-hoofed animal movements via a form that can be found on the WCG’s website. 

Important notice to wildlife farms

Wildlife farms are strongly advised not to accept cattle mortalities from affected or neighbouring farms, particularly where buffalo or other cloven-hoofed species are present, due to the heightened risk of FMD transmission.

General preventative FMD measures 

The joint statement lists a number of preventative measures. These include:

• Slaked lime (calcium hydroxide): Works well for disinfecting soil, kraal areas and footwear. It raises the pH to levels at which the FMD virus cannot easily survive.

• Soda ash (sodium carbonate): Works well for disinfecting contaminated surfaces such as concrete floors, equipment and vehicle tires. It is mildly corrosive and should be handled with care.

• Caustic soda (sodium hydroxide): Works well for disinfecting heavily contaminated surfaces, equipment and animal housing areas. It is highly corrosive. Always add the powder to water – never water to the powder – to prevent dangerous reactions.

• Household vinegar (acetic acid, 4-8%): Works well for disinfecting equipment and smaller surfaces where organic material has been removed. Surfaces must be thoroughly cleaned before application for effective results.

• Household bleach (approximately 3% sodium hypochlorite in South Africa): Works well for disinfecting equipment, footwear and hard surfaces. Prepare fresh solutions and use immediately after mixing, as effectiveness decreases over time. Always add sodium hypochlorite to water, not water to the concentrate. It is corrosive and may damage certain materials.

• Stalosan F: Works well for disinfecting footwear, footbaths and stable or housing floors. Effective in areas with high moisture and organic load.

• F10CL (general farm disinfectant): Works well for hosing down vehicles, disinfecting equipment, washing hands and general biosecurity use around farm entrances and facilities.

• Virkon S (potassium peroxymonosulphate-based disinfectant): Works well for disinfecting equipment, vehicles, footwear, housing facilities and biosecurity stations. Effective against a broad range of viruses when mixed and applied according to manufacturer guidelines.

The FMD Resource Centre can be accessed on the GRDM’s website.

Suspected FMD incidents can be reported to the Garden Route Emergency Call Centre on 044 805 5071 or via WhatsApp on 081 709 5193.

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