GEORGE NEWS - Two confirmed cases of Rift Valley Fever (‘Slenkdalkoors’) have been diagnosed by local vets this week.
The two cases are the first in the Southern Cape to be identified. One case was confirmed in Outeniqualand near Glentana where a heifer died, and the second was at a farm in the Robertson Pass area between Mossel Bay and Oudtshoorn.
Three weeks ago a case was diagnosed near Oudtshoorn where a cow died.
The deaths are regarded as isolated cases and cannot be seen as an outbreak of the disease, which is carried by mosquitos.

People that are at risk
The disease is a zoonosis, which means it can be transmitted from animals to humans. However the only people that are at risk are farmers who work with animals and abattoir workers, as they can be contaminated by the blood of carcasses.
Precautions
George vet, Dr Howard Pettifer said valuable animals can be vaccinated as a precaution. Cattle should preferably be herded in areas where there are no mosquitoes (eg not near vlei areas), and other sensible precautions would be for people in contact with animals to wear gloves.
He cautioned farmers against buying cattle in areas where there have been outbreaks.

Live vaccination is readily available, but there is a shortage of ‘killed vaccination’ which is used on pregnant animals, said Pettifer.

Buying of meat
"Do not buy bush meat or meat that is slaughtered at an abattoir which is not registered.
"Controlled abattoirs are inspected by vets or health inspectors who will pick up if an animal is diseased and who maintain anti-mortal regulations.
"Any animals that have a fever or are suspect are turned away and are not allowed to be slaughtered," said Pettifer.
Mosquitoes
A government vet said that mosquitoes are usually killed off by cold weather. The change in climate has brought about warmer winters.

Article: Pauline Lourens