AGRICULTURAL NEWS - The foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in the Garden Route remains contained to the Mossel Bay municipal area, with close monitoring and management of the situation continuing.
According to the latest update from the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) issued today, Tuesday 14 April, all suspect farms identified to date have been successfully traced back to a single index farm in the Hartenbos area.
A total of 258 farms have been surveyed, with seven confirmed cases of FMD to date, unchanged from the previous update, which is an indication that the spread of the disease remains under control.
The updated statistics are as follows:
- FMD-suspected farms surveyed: 258
- FMD-affected farms (officially confirmed): 7 (no increase)
- FMD-suspect site(s), pending test results: 1 (still awaiting results)
- FMD-tests returned negative: 25 (increased with 8)
- Number of farms vaccinated: 212 (Increased with 15)
- FMD-Vaccines administered to date: 46 075 (Increased with 999)
- Livestock infected: Cattle
- Vehicle control points around quarantined area: 7 static and 4 roaming
Of the vaccines allocated to the Western Cape, 15 000 doses have been earmarked specifically for the Garden Route.
Strict biosecurity measures remain in place. Authorities have established seven static and four roaming vehicle control points around the quarantined area to limit movement and prevent further spread.
According to the GRDM, there has been a setback in containment logistics after the only abattoir that had begun the process to be approved for slaughtering FMD-positive animals has withdrawn due to economic unviability. This development may complicate management efforts going forward, GRDM said.
However, officials maintain that the situation is stable and that containment strategies are proving effective.
Farmers and the public are urged to remain vigilant and adhere to all control measures.
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