Eastern Cape Battles Foot and Mouth Outbreak with New Disease Management Area

The Eastern Cape has taken decisive action in its fight against a serious outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) with the establishment of a Disease Management Area (DMA). The Department of Agriculture has moved quickly, rolling out containment measures that include the vaccination of tens of thousands of animals across multiple farms.

The DMA, which covers parts of the Kouga and Kou-Kamma Municipalities, comes as a response to cattle testing positive for FMD on 26 farms in the region. To counter the outbreak's severity, the Department has vaccinated cattle on the affected farms and placed them under strict quarantine, with significant restrictions on animal movement.

A total of 84,655 animals across 62 farms have received vaccinations. These efforts are not just reactive; they extend to preemptive actions. Permission has been granted to vaccinate dairy cattle on 29 additional farms that, while not yet confirmed FMD positive, are considered at high risk of infection.

Adding another layer to the region's robust response, the Department declared that no movement of cloven-hoofed animals or their derived products is permitted within the DMA without a state veterinary permit. This directive has been detailed in the forthcoming July 2024 Government Gazette Notice and underlines the scale of the containment strategy.

Livestock owners who wish to move animals within the DMA must provide a health declaration from the time of movement, in adherence to strict regulatory compliance. Furthermore, any new cattle, including sheep and goats brought onto a property, must be kept separate from existing herds for at least 28 days, as per the legislation enacted in October 2022.

In these critical times, the Department’s advice to farmers nationwide is to limit livestock movement to only what is absolutely necessary. This minimizes the risk of spreading the disease, particularly during the incubation period when animals appear healthy but can still transmit the virus.

Maintaining high standards of biosecurity on farms is crucial, as highlighted by the Department. Farmers are reminded of their legal responsibilities under Section 11 of the Animal Diseases Act to prevent infection and contain the spread of disease from their land to others.

As the Eastern Cape navigates this challenging period, the emphasis on vigilance and adherence to containment measures could not be clearer. The establishment of the Disease Management Area is a testament to the seriousness with which the authorities are taking this outbreak and the lengths they are prepared to go to protect the agriculture sector and wider community health.