The Ministry of Agriculture says strict movement controls remain in place within the Disease Management Zone (DMA) in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks ) in both provinces.

Although outbreaks in all other previously affected provinces have been resolved and officially closed with the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), targeted efforts are underway to manage and contain the disease in these two regions.

The outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the Eastern Cape was first detected in May 2024 and affected 37 farms in the Humansdorp region and one farm in East London.

In addition, 36 farms have been preemptively vaccinated to reduce the spread of the virus and alleviate clinical symptoms, and 96,906 cattle and 635 sheep have been vaccinated since the outbreak began.

The department said the disease management zone declared in July 2024 remains in effect.

“Movement of animals into, through or out of this area is restricted and permitted only with permission from the state veterinary office. No new cases have been reported since September 19, 2024, indicating that the circulation of the virus is decreasing,” the department said in a statement on Friday.

Foot and mouth disease spread to uPhongolo municipality

It has been reported that in KwaZulu-Natal, foot and mouth disease has spread to the uPhongolo local municipality in the northern Zululand district.

For this reason, the existing disease management zone boundaries are being reviewed and will be expanded to include newly affected areas and identified risk areas.

“Since the outbreak began in May 2021, KZN Province has reported 155 cases in the South African Territories 2 FMD event. Of these, 17 outbreaks have been resolved and closed with the WOAH.

“However, 133 active outbreaks remain in communal dumping ponds, a few small-scale farms and five game reserves, all located nearby,” the department said.

DMA at modified limits remains active

In a bid to control the spread of the disease, the department said the DMA established in 2021 in KwaZulu-Natal, with amended boundaries in 2022, remains active, while the DMA declared in the East in July 2024 continues to be applied.

Farmers on infected or vaccinated farms should take all precautions to prevent the spread of the disease, and farmers in unaffected areas are also advised to maintain strict biosecurity to prevent FMD from entering their farms or infected areas. communal pastures.

“Controlled slaughter of livestock from infected farms is permitted at designated slaughterhouses with additional biosecurity measures in place. Meat from restricted farms is safe for human consumption, although it cannot be exported due to certification constraints,” the department said.

The department also commended the efforts of farmers, including veterinarians, and other stakeholders to combat the disease, and called for continued vigilance to protect the livestock sector.

The foot and mouth outbreak in East London has been successfully contained.

“Animals from these farms are slaughtered in a controlled manner at designated abattoirs, ensuring that FMD risk material is properly treated or disposed of. Only safe products are sold on the local market,” the department said.

Although meat from farms subject to FMD restrictions cannot be exported due to certification limitations, the ministry assured that the meat remained safe for human consumption.

“The Director of Animal Health has designated three slaughterhouses to manage the slaughter of hoofed animals from farms quarantined for foot and mouth disease. Seventeen farms have obtained authorization to carry out controlled slaughter in these slaughterhouses.

“In addition to the control measures within the DMA in the Eastern Cape Province, the July 2024 Gazette notice states that hoofed cattle across South Africa may only be moved if accompanied by a health declaration from the owner, attesting to the state of health of the animals. at the time of movement.

“While this has been a legal requirement since October 2022, its importance is reiterated in preventing the spread of foot and mouth disease,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za