AGRICULTURE NEWS - The Free State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has confirmed four cases of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the province.
Bloemfontein Courant reports that the most recent case was identified on a commercial farm near Cornelia in the Mafube Municipality.
The other three cases were reported in Kroonstad — two on a commercial farm and one in a communal grazing area.
“Movement restrictions have been implemented on all farms within a 10km radius of the infected farms. The infected farms have been placed under quarantine, and all farms within this radius have been notified and placed under precautionary quarantine until surveillance is completed to determine any further spread of the disease,” the department said.
Surveillance activities are also ongoing in the Moqhaka, Metsimaholo and Mafube municipalities to establish the possible extent of the spread. Vaccination has been prioritised on the infected farms.
Farmers, auctioneers and the wider farming community are urged to restrict the movement of cloven-hoofed animals and adhere to biosecurity measures, including disinfecting vehicles and equipment.
In line with Government Gazette No. 51512 of June 13 and the Animal Diseases Act 35 of 1984, they are encouraged to:
- Quarantine newly purchased livestock for 28 days before integrating them with existing herds.
- Keep accurate records of all animal movements, as well as feed trucks and visitors to farms.
- Report any suspect cases (animals showing excessive salivation, mouth lesions, or difficulty walking) immediately to the local state veterinary office.
The World Organisation for Animal Health defines FMD as a ‘severe, highly contagious viral disease of livestock that has a significant economic impact. The disease affects cattle, swine, sheep, goats, and other cloven-hoofed ruminants’.
Article: Caxton publication, The Citizen
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