Fri, 8 Nov 2024
22.7 C
Durban

FMD remains a concern in the Eastern Cape

Home Agriculture FMD remains a concern in the Eastern Cape

THE ongoing Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreaks in the Eastern Cape remain a significant concern for the Minister of Agriculture. In the Humansdorp area, 33 farms have now been confirmed to have cases of the disease, the department said in an update issued last week.

Cattle on these farms have been vaccinated to reduce the viral load and lessen the severity of clinical symptoms, particularly in dairy cattle. Additionally, 37 farms have been pre-emptively vaccinated to prevent the disease from spreading. Since the start of the outbreak, a total of 93,064 cattle and 635 sheep have been vaccinated in the Eastern Cape.

Farms that are either infected or vaccinated remain under quarantine, with animal movements restricted. Movements from these farms are only permitted with state veterinary approval for direct slaughter. Farm owners are also required to enforce strict biosecurity measures to prevent the disease from spreading via animals, vehicles, equipment, or people.

On 26 July 2024, the department declared a Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) Disease Management Area (DMA), covering parts of the Kouga and Kou-Kamma Municipalities. Movements of animals into, through, within, or out of this area are strictly controlled and may only occur with state veterinary permission. Farms must be inspected and tested, and declared free of the disease before any animals are allowed to move.

Despite these measures, there are indications that the virus persists in the affected areas. Some farms previously infected have experienced flare-ups, and new infections have been identified on four farms located on or near the borders of the DMA. This raises concerns and demonstrates that movement restrictions and biosecurity protocols are not being fully adhered to. Additionally, reports of illegal animal movements within the DMA have surfaced, which could lead to continued circulation and spread of the virus, the department said.

The outbreak, which began in May 2024, can be contained if all stakeholders adhere to the control measures. Unfortunately, the ongoing virus circulation and spread is a result of non- compliance by some stakeholders, which puts the entire region—and the country—at risk. The department is working with law enforcement to investigate these reports, and those found contravening the quarantine and DMA restrictions will face legal consequences. The department encourages the public to report any information regarding illegal movements or breaches of biosecurity.

East London

In East London, the outbreak has been successfully contained, and the department thanks the affected farmers in this area for their vigilance and cooperation. Animals on these farms will undergo controlled slaughter at designated abattoirs. Controlled slaughter ensures that FMD risk materials are properly processed or disposed of, and only safe products are released into the local market. While meat from FMD-restricted farms cannot be exported due to certification constraints, it remains safe for human consumption.

The Director of Animal Health has designated three abattoirs to handle the slaughter of cloven-hoofed animals from FMD-quarantined farms. Seven farms have been granted permission for controlled slaughter at these abattoirs. To date, 430 cattle from FMD- quarantined farms in the Eastern Cape Province have been slaughtered.

Most Popular

Sponsored News: Scope for private steam turbines to feed the grid – Weg Africa

STEAM turbines represent mission critical equipment for a range of industries from sugar and paper to steel and petrochemicals, and there is now greater...

Investment in EC cold storage facility boosts regional export capacity

COMMERCIAL Cold Holdings (CCH) has made a significant move to expand South Africa’s cold chain infrastructure by investing in CCH Greenbushes, a state-of-the-art commercial...

Regional development agency sells, leases and invests in diverse R1,4bn property portfolio

THE Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) is rolling out a R546 million refurbishment programme of its R1,370 billion property portfolio which it says is...

Supporting crop productivity for SA’s large- and small-scale farmers

OPINION | AGRICULTURE is synonymous with food production and, in South Africa especially, employment creation. But the sector’s importance extends into the socio-economic realm...