Battle Against Foot and Mouth Disease in Eastern Cape Shows Positive Progress

The Department of Agriculture, in conjunction with provincial authorities and industry stakeholders, has taken decisive steps to combat the recent outbreaks of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in South Africa's Eastern Cape region. Key initiatives include the formation of three working groups aimed at bolstering collaboration across various sectors to address the crisis effectively.

Recent reports indicate an encouraging downward trend in the emergence of new FMD cases, with the last clinical case recorded in mid-July. In response to the outbreak, quarantine measures have been implemented on 30 farms diagnosed with the disease, while vaccination campaigns are in full swing to mitigate its spread and alleviate the symptoms in the affected cattle population.

A proactive vaccination approach has also been adopted, targeting 37 farms considered high risk due to their proximity to infection zones. The rationale behind this tactic is to establish a buffer zone that will reinforce containment efforts. It's noteworthy that vaccination efforts have extended to a significant portion of the livestock, with over 92,000 cattle and nearly 600 sheep across 67 farms receiving vaccinations to date.

In an operational move to bolster the containment strategy, the Department of Agriculture declared a Disease Management Area (DMA) on July 19, 2024. This declaration encompasses parts of the Kouga and Kou-Kamma Municipalities, enabling the department to regulate animal movements effectively to curb the disease's further spread.

The Movement Protocol for the DMA, a critical document designed to guide the management of animal transit within and beyond the affected regions, has been officially published. Stakeholders can access the protocol through the official websites of the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development (DALRRD), and the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR), or through AgriEC.

Countering misinformation remains a priority for the department, particularly regarding the disease's transmission. Despite speculative claims about the transmission of FMD by birds and rodents, the department underscores the importance of stringent biosecurity measures as the frontline defense against FMD transmission.

Livestock owners are reminded to adhere to mandatory health declarations for animal movements, a practice bolstered by the isolation of new livestock arrivals for a minimum of 28 days, alongside sourcing from herds with verified health statuses.

Under Section 11 of the Animal Diseases Act, it's incumbent upon animal managers and owners to adopt all reasonable measures to arrest the spread of disease. As a controlled animal disease, FMD falls under strict control measures legislated by the Animal Diseases Act, 1984 (Act No. 35 of 1984), enforced by Veterinary Services.

As the battle continues, the department reiterates the importance of reporting suspicious symptoms, such as salivation and limping, to local State Veterinarians. The department also strongly advises minimizing livestock movements nationwide, emphasizing the necessity of quarantining potentially affected properties.