By Alani Janeke

The first consignment of foot-and-mouth disease vaccines that South Africa ordered from Botswana arrived in the country on Thursday, while the second consignment has already been ordered, the Department of Agriculture says.

Due to its biological nature, it was transported under police guard to the head office of Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP). The doses will be distributed from there to state veterinarians in areas where the disease has been confirmed, which includes farms in KwaZulu-Natal. It will also be used to vaccinate animals preventively in those areas of Limpopo and Mpumalanga where preventive vaccinations are traditionally done.

The department says in a statement the order for a second consignment of vaccines has already been placed with the Botswana Vaccine Institute.

“The arrival of these vaccines marks a significant step in our efforts to contain the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), enhance biosecurity and explore long-term solutions, including local vaccine production,” says John Steenhuisen, Minister of Agriculture.

According to him, the vaccination is part of the department’s strategy to combat FMD. The department will soon hold discussions with the industry also to draw up a long-term plan to make South Africa foot-and-mouth disease-free in the long term so that the country can export its red meat products without interruption.

Status of outbreaks

In addition to the new outbreaks confirmed in KwaZulu-Natal, outbreaks have also been confirmed in parts of Gauteng, North West and Mpumalanga in the past two weeks.

In Gauteng, outbreaks have been confirmed in the East and West Rand, as well as at Heidelberg. The outbreaks around Heidelberg also affect farms in Mpumalanga. In North West, the outbreaks are occurring around Ventersdorp, Potchefstroom and Rustenburg.

Properties where animals tested positive for FMD have been quarantined and vaccination of infected animals has commenced.

“All care is being taken by our veterinary services and abattoirs to ensure beef and beef products from FMD-positive animals are safe for consumption,” says Steenhuisen.

He stressed that FMD is not harmful to humans and that consumers can buy beef products with confidence. He again stressed that everyone needs to take biosecurity more seriously.

“Biosecurity is something that has to be everybody’s responsibility, from the farmgate, to the auction house, to the abattoir, to the consumer. We all have a role to play in ensuring that South Africa become synonymous with the highest level of biosecurity – that we adhere to the regulations.”

Interim regulations

Regarding the new interim regulations for the movement and sale of animals, Steenhuisen said: “Those who break the law must feel the consequences because there are grave economic consequences if the law is broken in this regard.”

Section 11 of the Animal Diseases Act (Act 35 of 1984) places a legal duty on any owner or manager of animals to take all reasonable steps to prevent their animals from becoming infected with any disease and to prevent the spread of any disease from their animals or land to other animals or other property.

Steenhuisen thanked the police for their support in ensuring that the vaccine was safely brought into the country.