The Provincial Veterinary Services conducted epidemiological investigations following reports and a positive laboratory result, and have confirmed the diagnosis.
The farm and other linked farms have been placed under quarantine while further surveillance in the area is being conducted to determine the extent of the outbreak. A Joint Operations Commission, supported by the local Members of the Mayoral Committee for Safety and Security, and the Provincial Disaster Risk Management Committees of both Dr Kenneth Kaunda and JB Marks was established, and its first sitting was on Sunday 20 March 2022. All present at the joint operations centre (JOC) pledged their unwavering support for the control of this outbreak.
It's important to note that foot and mouth disease which animals such as cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats can get - and which is also known as hoof-and-mouth disease - is different than hand, foot, and mouth disease. Because the virus that causes FMD is sensitive to stomach acid, it cannot spread to humans by means of consumption of infected meat, except in the mouth before the meat is swallowed.
However, the World Organisation for Animal Health reports FMD is not readily transmissible to humans and is not a public health risk.
In addition to the North West Province, an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) was detected in the previous FMD-free zone in Collins Chabane municipality (Vhembe) in Limpopo Province in March 2022. Infection was detected in two locations in the former FMD-free zone and involves cattle in communal grazing areas. One of the two new infected locations is in the Disease Management Area, which was declared in January 2019, and remains in place, while the other is north of it. Other locations in the area with clinical signs suggestive of FMD are under investigation.
This outbreak is most likely due to spill-over from an outbreak in the adjacent FMD protection zone, which was detected in March 2021. There are permanent movement restrictions in place in the protection zone, preventing the free movement of cloven-hoofed livestock into the FMD-free zone.
The affected diptanks were placed under quarantine and no cloven-hoofed animals were allowed to move from these locations.
In an effort to curtail the spread of the disease, cattle were vaccinated to establish a band of resistant animals around the known positive diptanks.
Based on surveillance activities conducted in the second half of 2021, it appeared at the time that the infection had come to an end. However, it resurfaced in 2022 in the former FMD-free zone.
Surveillance activities in the newly affected area are underway to determine the extent of the spread of the disease both within the Direct Memory Access (DMA) and to the north of the DMA. Vaccination in the area has started in an effort to curtail further spread of the disease.
In addition to the outbreak in Limpopo province, the FMD outbreak in KwaZulu Natal is still continuing and the vaccination campaign has begun.
Two new affected locations have been identified. One falls just outside of the DMA in the Mthonjaneni municipality, while the other one falls some distance to the south-west of the DMA, in the uMlalazi municipality (near the Nkandla and Maphumulo muncipalities). The newly infected diptanks have been placed under quarantine, and no cloven hoofed animals are allowed to move from these locations. Clinical and serological surveillance has been intensified in the diptanks surrounding the newly infected area to determine the extent of the spread.
All farmers, livestock owners, members of industry and other stakeholders are urged to abide by the movement restrictions in place in both the Limpopo and KZN DMA’s, as well as to abide by the restrictions within the affected areas. These restrictions are deemed necessary to prevent the further spread of the virus out of the affected areas.
All farmers, livestock owners, members of industry and other stakeholders in the rest of the country are urged to use caution when sourcing cattle, the notion of “know what you are buying” holds true in this instance; ensure that you know the health of the animals you are investing in and where possible, seek a health attestation from the seller’s veterinarian.
Livestock owners are reminded that foot and mouth disease is transmitted by moving cattle from infected premises and urge all owners not to move animals if there is a suspicion of illness. All buyers must ensure they get an attestation from the seller, confirming the health status of the animals they are buying. Should any suspicious clinical symptoms (salivation, blisters in the mouth, limping or hoof lesions) be seen, it should be reported to the local State Veterinarian immediately and such animals must not be moved under any circumstances.
