A team of experts, which included epidemiologists from the national and the Gauteng Veterinary Services, was dispatched to a farm near Verena in the Thembisile Local Municipality close to Loskop Dam Nature Reserve, following reports of possible foot and mouth disease (FMD) in the area.
Following clinical examination, which included the mouthing and checking of approximately 100 head of cattle for feet lesions, with particular emphasis on those that were reported to have clinical lesions in previous inspections, it was concluded that the mouth lesions seen are not pathognomonic for foot and mouth disease and could be as a result of trauma during previous inspections. Two of the feet lesions observed were attributed to foot rot and the other to tick bite complication.
The pig population, which is kept within the cattle holding facilities, were also inspected and found to be healthy. All laboratory results received, including PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) results, were negative for the presence of foot and mouth disease virus. The team of experts therefore concluded that foot and mouth disease was not present in this area.
The department would like to thank the Animal Health Forum and the Mpumalanga Veterinary Services for the support and assistance during the visit to the farm.
