Over 10 000 animals vaccinated against FMD

Over 10 000 cattle affected by the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) have been vaccinated to eliminate the spillage of the outbreak.

This follows confirmed FMD in cattle in the Vhembe District of Limpopo early this year.

Updating the media on the status of FMD in Pretoria on Monday, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Senzeni Zokwana said that the vaccination of cattle commenced on 14 January 2019, starting with cattle in the affected villages, as well as cattle in the 20km radius around the affected villages.  

Minister of Agriculture‚ Forestry and Fisheries Senzeni Zokwana. 

“To date, the total number of cattle vaccinated is over 10 000. Vaccinated cattle are marked to identify them as vaccinated,” Zokwana said. 

Zokwana said that up to 30 January 2019, four positive locations in Limpopo have been reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

The locations were confirmed on Polimarase Chain Reaction (PCR) and serology tests, performed at the Transboundary Animal Disease programme of Onderstepoort Veterinary Research. 

“The animals affected by the outbreak are cattle kept in rural villages with communal diptanks and grazing. The affected villages are in close proximity, within a 20 kilometre radius. The estimated number of cattle in the 20km around the affected villages is 15 000, of which 4 500 are in the FMD free zone,” Zokwana said.

No cloven hoofed animals allowed

With regards to the FMD Management area, Zokwana said no cloven hoofed animals are allowed to move within, into or out of the area. 

“Movement permits, which were previously issued for this purpose, were withdrawn. Products from cloven hoofed animals may be allowed to move within this area, but movements out of the area will be considered on merit and only allowed with permits issued by the local state veterinarian and in compliance with the conditions of such permits,” Zokwana explained. 

In addition, the Minister said the movement of cloven-hoofed animals, including wildlife and unprocessed products out of Mopani District and Vhembe District, as well as the Molemole Municipality of Capricorn District is discouraged until further notice.