Disease Management Area Declared in Eastern Cape Amid FMD Outbreak

The department reported that cattle on the affected farms have been vaccinated to reduce the viral load and mitigate the severity of clinical signs, particularly in dairy cattle.

In response to the recent Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak, the Department of Agriculture has established a Disease Management Area (DMA) covering parts of the Kouga and Kou-Kamma Municipalities in the Eastern Cape. This measure aims to curb the spread of the disease after it was detected in cattle on 26 farms.

The department reported that cattle on the affected farms have been vaccinated to reduce the viral load and mitigate the severity of clinical signs, particularly in dairy cattle. These farms have been placed under quarantine with stringent movement controls to contain the outbreak.

Preventative measures have also been implemented, including the vaccination of dairy cattle on 29 additional farms deemed at high risk of infection. Moreover, 84,655 animals across 62 farms have been vaccinated following reports of suspect clinical signs.

The boundaries of the DMA will be detailed in a July 2024 Government Gazette Notice. The DMA will regulate the movement of animals, animal products, and genetic material within and out of the affected area to prevent further spread. Specific restrictions include a ban on moving cloven-hoofed animals and their products unless authorized by a State veterinary permit and compliance with permit conditions.

Furthermore, the Gazette Notice stipulates that livestock movement requires a health declaration from the owner, attesting to the health status of the animals at the time of movement. New arrivals, including cattle, sheep, and goats, must be kept separate from existing herds for a minimum of 28 days, a practice legally mandated since October 2022.

The department urges all livestock farmers nationwide to minimize animal movement to help detect and quarantine any additional affected properties. The incubation period of FMD, during which animals may shed the virus without showing symptoms, underscores the need for vigilance.

Farmers are advised to enhance biosecurity measures on their farms to protect their herds from infection. The Animal Diseases Act requires owners and managers to take reasonable steps to prevent disease infection and spread.