The Northern Cape’s MEC for Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Norman Shushu has announced the occurrence of rift valley fever (RVF) in cattle at a Kakamas farm near Upington.
The department’s Directorate of Veterinary Services confirmed the case amid five cattle out of nineteen dying over a period of a week at the farm. Cattle’s farming is minimal in the affected area with grape farming being highly dominant.
The MEC says he is confident that with the case remaining localised and the situation being under very strict monitoring and control, food security will not be compromised. He called for the following to be undertaken:
* Charged the directorate to step up its efforts in ensuring that a dynamic interface unfolds in an effort to ensure sufficient information reaches the immediate farming community. Undertake meetings by today with farmer unions and commodity groupings
* That farmers apply mosquito repellents and move animals to higher grounds and avoid areas with stagnant water and coming into contact with sick animals or material such as aborted foetuses and should call the local state veterinarian at (054) 332 1531
* Movement of livestock must be restricted as this will assist in slowing down the spread of the virus to unaffected areas.
Issued by: Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Northern Cape Provincial Government
30 October 2009
Source: Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Northern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.agrinc.gov.za/)
