Dairy farms within 10 km of farms where animals have tested positive may apply for their animals to be vaccinated. According to a Department of Agriculture statement, the Directorate of Veterinary Services in the Eastern Cape has received 46 applications for voluntary vaccination of healthy herds. Of these, 30 farms have already been allowed to vaccinate.
The department says it is working with all stakeholders to ensure that biosecurity measures are put in place to manage the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in the Eastern Cape. The department is also in continuous discussions with the Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture to ensure that foot-and-mouth disease control measures are implemented and that the disease does not spread further.
The same applies to the Western Cape Department of Agriculture to ensure that the disease does not spread across the provincial border.
Farmers are once again requested to apply biosecurity on their farms and protect their herds from infection. According to Article 11 of the Animal Diseases Act (Act 35 of 1984), any owner or manager of animals is legally obliged to take all reasonable steps to prevent their animals from becoming infected with any disease or to prevent any disease from spreading from their animals or property to other animals or other properties.
In accordance with this, Thoko Didiza, the former minister of agriculture, prescribed a regulation in October 2022, which stipulates that cloven-hoofed livestock may be moved only if accompanied by a health declaration from the owner. Additionally, all new cattle, sheep and goats brought onto a property must be kept separate from existing herds for at least 28 days.
If owners notice suspicious clinical symptoms (salivation, blisters in the mouth, lameness or hoof lesions), they must be reported immediately to the local state veterinarian, and these animals must not be moved under any circumstances, warns the department.
Agri Western Cape indicated that the Western Cape foot-and-mouth disease working group has had a second meeting to discuss control measures.
According to the working group, it is important that the public be aware of the danger of the disease and that cooperation is needed to keep the province safe. A statement by the working group said there would be increased emphasis on the transport of animals across borders with the Eastern Cape, and traffic officers will stop all vehicles transporting animals.
There is a request for increased monitoring on the N2, R62 and N9, as well as the nine weighbridges in the province.
Farmers are also urged to ensure that all information, messages and statements about foot-and-mouth disease come from the correct and verified sources and platforms.