The crisis surrounding the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Limpopo has worsened. By Tuesday, 20 January, 11 positive cases had been confirmed in the province. The viral disease has also now been confirmed for the first time in the Waterberg district, said Dr Moses Mabunda, director of the province’s veterinary services, at an information day on the disease held in Polokwane.

By Jasper Raats, senior journalist at African Farming and Landbouweekblad

Dr Dave Midgley of the Ruminant Veterinary Association of South Africa (RuVASA), which organised the information day, said barely a week earlier the Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, had stated there were only three outbreaks in Limpopo. The rapidly changing situation is placing increasing pressure on provincial veterinary services, which are already struggling with severe shortages of both manpower and vaccines.

Mabunda said there are currently 11 confirmed outbreaks in the province, while laboratory results from a further 58 suspected cases are still pending. Two samples have already tested negative. Most of the confirmed cases are in the Waterberg, Vhembe and Capricorn districts, while Sekhukhune has so far remained unaffected.

The outbreak in the Waterberg, which has historically been regarded as an FMD-free zone, is particularly concerning. Mabunda said this means the outbreak did not originate from the buffalo population in the Kruger National Park, but rather from illegal or uncontrolled livestock movements, possibly across provincial borders.

The department’s ability to respond quickly and effectively is, however, severely constrained. Mabunda said there are currently only about 30 veterinarians and approximately 120 animal health technicians in the province, which is far from sufficient given the scale of the crisis. In addition, Limpopo’s vaccine stock is limited to around 10 000 doses, while orders for nearly 50 000 additional doses have not yet been delivered due to pressure on international suppliers.

Also read: FMD | Botswana heightens alert as FMD spreads in South Africa and Zimbabwe

Buffaloes Make Limpopo’s Situation Unique

The presence of buffaloes makes Limpopo’s FMD situation fundamentally different from that of other provinces. Dr Ampie Viljoen, veterinarian and member of the wildlife group of the South African Veterinary Association, warned that FMD in disease-free buffalo populations creates an irreversible scenario.

He explained that, although disease-free buffaloes do not themselves become seriously ill, they can become lifelong carriers of the virus once infected. In a buffalo herd, the virus is sustainably maintained in the throats of young calves, meaning the disease does not naturally disappear from the herd.

Viljoen said if FMD were to establish itself in Limpopo’s disease-free buffalo industry, recovery could take decades. The constant risk of re-infection of cattle would further compound the problem. For this reason, current protocols require that an entire disease-free buffalo herd be culled if infection is confirmed. This could spell disaster for many game farms.

More than 50% of South Africa’s approximately 3 200 registered disease-free buffalo farms are located in Limpopo, and the industry contributes billions of rands to the agricultural and ecotourism economy. Viljoen stressed it is therefore critical that the current crisis does not spill over into the buffalo industry.

Also read: FMD | Strategy will target feedlots and high-risk areas first

Stricter Transport Controls Come Into Effect

Against this backdrop, Limpopo’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has introduced an amended FMD transport control protocol with immediate effect. Under these measures, all movement of cloven-hoofed animals into and through Limpopo is now subject to strict permit requirements.

Interprovincial movements require prior approval from both the province of origin and Limpopo, with a minimum waiting period of five working days before the planned transport. All animals must be accompanied by valid veterinary health declarations, as well as transport permits and identification documentation. Permits are valid for seven days only and are issued for a single movement.

Any transport of livestock without valid documentation is regarded as illegal and may result in quarantine, the return of the animals and/or criminal prosecution.

Mabunda called on producers, traders and auction houses to comply strictly with the protocols. “Foot-and-mouth disease cannot be hidden. It always comes back to bite you,” he warned, emphasising that cooperation and prompt reporting are the only ways to bring Limpopo’s outbreaks under control within the next six months – a goal that he and other stakeholders in the province believe is achievable.