The minister of agriculture, John Steehuisen, has sounded the alarm over the worrying spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in South Africa, particularly following new outbreaks in Mpumalanga and Gauteng.
This escalation has raised significant concerns for livestock owners, industry stakeholders, and agricultural exports, with the People’s Republic of China already suspending all imports of cloven-hoofed animals and related products from South Africa.
Recent surveillance has reported two new cases outside of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). Authorities have confirmed a new outbreak on a farm in Mpumalanga, linked to tracing efforts from a previous positive auction in Utrecht. Despite the animals on this farm showing no clinical signs of disease initially, further investigation confirmed that the virus had spread to adjacent camps within the same site.
Moreover, another alarming case emerged in Gauteng, where it is reported that clinical signs suspicious of FMD were detected in a feedlot that had received animals from an auction in Heidelberg. Laboratory results have since confirmed the presence of the same virus strain that has been affecting parts of KZN, prompting a thorough epidemiological investigation to trace back the affected animals.
Given the severity of the situation, the department says it has escalated control actions to the Deputy Director-General’s office, where multiple meetings with Veterinary Services and industry representatives have been held.
Cautioning against the risks posed by the persistent outbreaks, the minister urged livestock owners to enhance biosecurity measures, emphasising the critical incubation period of FMD, which can last between two and 14 days.
It is explained that during this window, animals may appear healthy but carry the virus, thus underscoring the legal requirement for a 28-day separation period after acquiring new livestock.
The minister's office has called for all farmers across the nation to limit animal movement, especially from regions experiencing active outbreaks. Auctioneers and livestock owners are advised to be particularly vigilant, abstaining from acquiring cloven-hoofed animals from areas under FMD restrictions, including KZN, Eastern Cape, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga.
“Section 11 of the Animal Diseases Act imposes a legal duty on any owner or manager of animals to take all reasonable steps to prevent their livestock from becoming infected and to mitigate the spread of any disease,” the department stated.
It is further explained that the aid in prevention, essential biosecurity measures have been outlined, including postponing the introduction of new arrivals whenever feasible, ensuring animals are sourced from accredited, disease-free farms, maintaining secure farm boundaries, and limiting access for outsiders.
The Animal Diseases Act of 1984 classifies FMD as a controlled disease. Any livestock displaying suspicious symptoms, such as salivation, mouth blisters, or lameness, must be reported to the local state veterinarian immediately, and affected animals are not to be moved under any circumstances. Veterinary services are enforcing necessary control measures, including isolation and movement restrictions, to contain the risk of further transmission.
Saturday Star