Vaccinations underway as province acts to curb FMD spread
The Western Cape government has allocated R100 million to combat a Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak, implementing strict measures to protect livestock and safeguard a vital industry.
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WHILE the farm at the centre of a suspected foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in Hartenbos operates as a "closed herd", concerns have been raised as there are communal cattle in the surrounding area, several abattoirs, as well as game farms within a 10 km radius of the suspected case.
Several agencies this week convened to establish a coordinated way forward in response to a suspected FMD outbreak in Hartenbos, within the Mossel Bay municipal area, according to an update from the Garden Route District Municipality’s Multi-Agency Command Centre.
State Veterinarian, Dr Leana Janse van Rensburg, said samples have been collected from cattle displaying symptoms consistent with FMD on a dairy farm in Hartenbos.
She further confirmed that several calves have died on the same farm.
A provisional quarantine area with a 10km radius was also established around the suspected farm. Several control points have been set up and more control points are expected to be established.
"The only livestock allowed to enter the area are those for slaughter at any of the abattoirs," she said.
In addition, 600 doses of vaccines were received on Monday.
The provincial government announced on Sunday it will set aside R100 million to procure enough vaccine doses to protect livestock.
Agri Western Cape (AWC) and the Red Meat Producers’ Organisation Western Cape (RPOWC) said with suspected cases under investigation in the Mfuleni, Makhaza, Kalkfontein, and Mossel Bay areas, all three cases have already been preventatively vaccinated.
“Samples from all suspected cases have been sent to the laboratory in Pretoria, and results are currently pending.”
The infected animals in the Mbekweni area have been vaccinated and are being monitored by the Western Cape Department of Agriculture Veterinary Services. The provincial mobility department, in cooperation with police and the Drakenstein Municipality established 24/7 roadblocks which are continuously monitored.
“Following information received by AWK and RPOWK on February 8 from the Western Cape Department of Agriculture’s State Veterinarian for the (Mossel Bay) area regarding a possible case, a roadblock was immediately established on the R328 at Sonskyn Road. Additional roadblocks will be implemented in the coming days.”
Provincial Traffic Services confirmed that in response to suspected FMD cases in Mbekweni, Paarl and Mossel Bay, heavy vehicles transporting livestock were subjected to rigorous inspections to ensure transit meets safety standards and complies with legal requirements.
Cape Times