Farmers are urged to report Foot and Mouth outbreaks to local State Vets, as two incidents are reported in the North West.
Signs of the disease are fever, lameness, and the appearance of vesicles and sores in the mouth, feet, and teats.
The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, confirmed an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease at the JB Marks Local Municipality, part of the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, this week.
Emelda Setlhako, the Department’s Spokesperson, said in the first incident, the Department was alerted by a Private Veterinarian who had visited a farm and saw suspicious signs. The State Vet then collected samples, which were sent to the Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute (OVI), to test for the disease.
In another incident, clinical signs of affected animals were missed at ante-mortem inspection, in Madibeng, but were detected on the slaughter line, during the Meat Inspection process.
She said tissue samples were sent to the laboratory and results came back confirming both SAT 2 and SAT 3 types of the virus.
“The unslaughtered animals were escorted back to the farm of origin, a feedlot in Ventersdorp, through a Red Cross permit. Both farms linked to the outbreak have been put under quarantine, prohibiting the movement of animals and animal products.”
The Department has identified all the farms that are linked to the Gauteng outbreak and are being sampled for testing. All identified farms have also been put under precautionary quarantine until the test results are back.
Last week, John Steenhuisen, the Minister of Agriculture, announced his Department has ordered vaccines to cover the KwaZulu-Natal area, while assessments, as well forward and backward tracing of the outbreak in Gauteng continue.
Over 900,000 doses of vaccines were ordered, and the first batch is expected to arrive this week.
A mass vaccination of poultry in the country, for the first time, is also underway, to protect the local flock from avian influenza.
“Our vaccination team, comprised of poultry specialist vets from the University of Pretoria, along with the Agricultural Research Council, has received a list of farms to be vaccinated from the poultry industry and is prioritising high risk areas and commercial flocks to contain the virus and prevent further culling. We have secured vaccine supply, ensured cold chain capacity, and are building in traceability and reporting mechanisms as part of a wider preparedness strategy,” said Steenhuizen.
In addition, the Department has employed 50 animal health technicians on a short-term contract, to assist with the vaccination roll-out.
“These plans are not only about responding to outbreaks, but also about building permanent infrastructure to manage future risks. More broadly, we are establishing a Biosecurity Council that will bring together the South African Police Service (SAPS), veterinarians, scientists, the Border Management Authority, and industry. We are rolling out a farm to fork national traceability system for livestock.”
Picture: Supplied