Western Cape Veterinary Services confirmed a case of foot-and-mouth disease on a farm near Gouda in the Western Cape on Thursday, 6 November.
By Alani Janeke, senior journalist at African Farming and Landbouweekblad
Quarantine and control measures are currently being implemented on the farm in the Gouda area where the Western Cape Department of Agriculture confirmed a positive test result for foot-and-mouth disease. Samples taken on Monday were confirmed as positive on Thursday.
The affected property has been placed under quarantine, along with two other properties in the Velddrif and Bredasdorp areas from where cattle are believed to have been moved to the Gouda farm. All properties with cloven-hoofed animals within a 10 km radius of the affected area have also been quarantined. Veterinary teams are conducting thorough inspections and surveillance on these farms, according to a statement by the department.
An investigation into the transport company involved is currently under way, and all properties that have had contact with this company in the past 30 days will be traced and inspected.
Farmers Urged to Adhere to Containment Measures
To prevent further spread of the disease, Western Cape Veterinary Services urges all livestock owners not to move any cloven-hoofed animals while the extent of the outbreak is being assessed.
Any movement of livestock into or within the province must be reported by completing and submitting this online form.
By law, such movement must be accompanied by:
- An owner declaration of origin and health status; and
- A recipient/buyer declaration confirming that the animals will be isolated for at least 28 days upon arrival.
Both forms are available here.
Also read: ‘Prosecutions may follow’ – Steenhuisen after FMD scare in Western Cape
Highly Contagious
Foot-and-mouth disease is a controlled animal disease in South Africa. Although it poses no risk to humans, it is highly contagious among animals with cloven hooves, such as cattle, sheep, goats and pigs. The virus spreads easily through direct contact between animals or indirectly via contaminated vehicles, equipment, clothing or feed.
Click here for more information on foot-and-mouth disease and contact details for Western Cape Veterinary Services.
