As foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) continues to spread in the Free State – with Sasolburg becoming the latest district to report cases – Free State Agriculture says farmers’ immediate response to symptoms is now critical to controlling the disease.
By Vida Booysen, senior journalist at African Farming and Landbouweekblad
Friedl von Maltitz, vice-president of Free State Agriculture, says the fact that new cases of foot-and-mouth disease are still emerging in districts such as Parys proves farmers are fulfilling their responsibilities by reporting them quickly.
“This helps us bring the spread of the disease under control,” he says. “But farmers who fail to report symptoms of FMD in time seriously jeopardise the lifting of quarantine measures and increase the risk of further infection.”
Also read: FMD | ‘Laws mean nothing without enforcement’
Practical Solutions to Ease the Pressure on Veterinarians
With the shortage of state veterinarians making it difficult to manage the outbreak, Von Maltitz suggests farmers use modern technology to help ease the pressure on them. Farmers who suspect an infection can simply send a photo or video to their local veterinarian or animal health technician. In this way, these critical professionals are not overburdened, and every farmer contributes to safeguarding the Free State’s livestock sector.
At a joint industry meeting held on Friday, 17 October, Von Maltitz reminded the provincial agriculture department that Free State Agriculture had already proposed last year that livestock transported across provincial borders should only be moved with a veterinary permit, not merely an owner’s declaration. The department took note of the proposal, but implementation has been delayed due to the shortage of state veterinarians, combined with the demands of the current intensive vaccination programme.
Also read: FMD | 7 more confirmed cases in Free State
Urgent Call for Active Monitoring
With the second round of vaccinations due to be completed in certain areas next week and abattoirs still awaiting approval to resume slaughtering, Von Maltitz stresses that daily monitoring of livestock is now non-negotiable. “Every day counts. Every farmer must monitor their livestock and immediately report any possible signs of FMD.”
The organisation is appealing to all farmers to remain vigilant and cooperate fully with the Department of Agriculture to prevent further spread and protect the Free State’s livestock sector.
The Free State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development confirmed 49 FMD cases in the province last week. These were spread across eight outbreak areas in five local municipalities. Sasolburg has been declared a new outbreak area, while the existing outbreak area at Viljoenskroon and Vredefort have expanded following a new case in neighbouring Parys.
In Kroonstad, results from a suspected case are still pending, while several others have tested negative.
Movement restrictions have been imposed on all farms within a 10 km radius of infected premises, and those farms remain under quarantine.
Also read: FMD | ‘The state’s system is unworkable’ – private veterinarian
