An outbreak of FMD was confirmed in dairy cattle on a farm in the Ba- Phalaborwa Local Municipality. This is in the FMD Protection zone (previously called Buffer Zone). Cattle showing typical clinical signs of FMD (salivation, with lesions in the mouth and on the tongue) were observed on 6 August 2010. Nineteen animals in a group of 80 heifers that were inspected had lesions.
The diagnosis has since been confirmed on 13 August 2010 as an FMD virus by the Onderstepoort Transboundary Animal Diseases Programme (TADP) of the Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute (OVI). Further identification of the type of FMD virus is in progress.
The FMD Controlled Area is under constant surveillance, with twice yearly vaccination of all cattle in the vaccination area of the Protection Zone (previously called Buffer Zone) and strict movement control of all cloven hoofed animals. The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Limpopo Department of Agriculture have intensified the usual control measures in the area, the affected farm has been placed under quarantine and no cloven hoofed animals or their products may leave the area.
The outbreak is being controlled by vaccination and strict movement control of live cloven hoofed animals and their products. The public is urged to cooperate fully with authorities to ensure that the outbreak is brought under control as soon as possible.
The detection of positive cases in the FMD Protection Zone (previously called Buffer Zone) do not affect South Africa's foot-and-mouth disease free status without vaccination, as recognised by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and thus do not affect the export status of the country. This outbreak has been reported to the OIE.
For more information contact:
Steve Galane
Cell:083 635 7346
