Mahikeng: The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Veterinary Services unit says livestock farmers should be on the lookout for signs that may indicate an outbreak of Risk Valley Fever disease, which are mainly occurrence of large scale death of animals or abortions during this rainy period.
The warning comes in the wake of current heavy rains which according to the State Veterinarians, have the potential to return the outbreak of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) which had struck the country last year.
Rift Valley Fever is an arthropod transmitted viral disease of cattle, goats and sheep which causes abortions and even death in young animals. Humans can get infected if they come into contact with blood and other body fluids from infected animals.
The department advises the community not to handle sick or aborted animals with bare hands as all material from such animals can be highly infectious.
There is huge potential for an increased population of RVF carrying mosquitoes due to the ongoing flooding of valleys and high rainfall.
During the dry years, the virus survives in mosquito eggs which can survive for a very long time in dry mud. Mosquitoes that hatch from such eggs during a wet season carry the virus and causes outbreaks. Some virus carrying mosquitoes can simply be blown by winds from far areas into other areas. All these factors increase the risk of outbreak of the disease in the province.
North West MEC responsible for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Boitumelo Tshwene advises livestock farmers to ensure that their animals are vaccinated against the disease using the inactivated or live vaccine.
“We advice the farming community to vaccinate with inactivated vaccine as live vaccine might have adverse effects especially on pregnant animals” cautioned Dr Langa Madyibi, Director for Veterinary Services in the department.
Farmers are also urged to report any suspected case to the nearest State Veterinarian who will take the necessary samples for testing and confirmation.
In 2010, North West experienced 13 outbreak of RVF spread throughout the province.
So far, the first case of RVF has only been confirmed in the Western Cape.
Contact Person:
Ms Bonolo Mohlakoana
Tel: 018 389 5719
Cell: 082 901 2435
Source: North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
