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Foot and mouth update in the Eastern Cape

Home Agriculture Foot and mouth update in the Eastern Cape

IN an update issued on 13 September, the Department of Agriculture said it had declared a Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) Disease Management Area (DMA) on 26 July 2024 to include parts of the Kouga and Kou-Kamma Municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province.

The primary objective of the DMA is to prevent the spread of FMD from the affected areas, where outbreaks have been ongoing since May 2024. The DMA encompasses regions where control measures are strictly enforced to minimise the risk of disease transmission beyond the designated boundaries.

Current status of infected farms

Currently, 33 farms in the Humansdorp area and one farm in the East London area have been confirmed as positive for FMD and have undergone vaccination. The Minister of Agriculture has expressed serious concern over the recurring clinical signs on certain farms within the DMA that were previously infected or vaccinated.

This points to ongoing virus circulation on these farms and highlights the high risk of outward spread. Strict biosecurity measures are essential. Clinical signs of FMD have also been detected on two farms near the borders of the DMA. This serves as a strong warning to the farming communities in the area to rigorously enforce biosecurity protocols on their farms and adhere to the movement restrictions imposed within the DMA.

Vaccination strategy and progress

An additional 36 farms have been pre-emptively vaccinated to mitigate the severity of clinical signs in case of infection. Since the outbreak’s onset in May 2024, a total of 96,906 cattle and 635 sheep have been vaccinated in the Eastern Cape. Over 12,000 animals have also received a second vaccination following reports of virus flare-ups on certain properties.

Designated abattoirs

To assist farmers in reducing the number of animals on infected and/or vaccinated farms, the Director of Animal Health has designated two abattoirs for the slaughter of cloven-hoofed animals from farms under FMD quarantine. Four farms have been granted permission for controlled slaughter at these abattoirs. So far, 56 cattle have been slaughtered in the Humansdorp area and 40 in the East London area. Controlled slaughter ensures that FMD risk materials are properly processed or disposed of, with only safe products released into the local market. Meat from farms under FMD restrictions is not eligible for export due to certification limitations, but it remains safe for human consumption.

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