Foot-and-mouth disease now detected in five provinces
Agriculture Minister Thoko Didiza says foot-and-mouth disease has now been confirmed in five provinces across the country.
At least 56 cases of the highly infectious disease have been detected amongst farm animals in Gauteng, Limpopo, Free State, North West, and KwaZulu-Natal.
Several towns, districts, and municipalities have been named as hot-spots, with the situation in North West of particular concern.
Didiza says the continued illegal movement of animals out of areas affected by the disease is exacerbating the situation.
“The damages caused by continued FMD outbreaks have a severe negative impact on the economy of the country, as well as the individual animal owners. It is important that everyone commits and respects all imposed control measures and collectively find a sustainable solution.”
In Limpopo, one person has been arrested for transporting goats from a cluster that was hit by the foot-and-mouth disease to an area free of the deadly disease.
In North West, laboratory testing confirmed the outbreak of the disease between Potchefstroom and Ventersdorp.
Other cases were detected at a farm in Gauteng and one in the Free State.
In KwaZulu-Natal, one of the 43 cases was a result of the movement of cattle for a lobola ceremony.
Two dip tanks were also found in the Big 5 Hlabisa Municipality and Jozini Municipality area.
Vaccination is taking place by state veterinary services in Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal.
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