“We are acting swiftly with all stakeholders to get ahead of this outbreak,” said Premier Alan Winde during a media briefing on Sunday (8/2) to announce stricter measures. These unclued 24/7 border controls, with consideration being given to complete provincial border closures and a permit system for cross-border trade. 

The 21-point plan includes movement control, monitoring, surveillance, and traceability, through on-the-ground rapid response from veterinary services; protocols such as communication, by-law enforcement, and contingency plans; and recovery involving cleaning operations and monitoring quarantine areas.

Confirmation is awaited from minister Steenhuisen to implement a border system. Photo: Louis Trichardt SPCA

Confirmation is awaited from the national minister of agriculture, John Steenhuisen, to implement a border system and procure vaccines for the provincial government. In the Western Cape, several confirmed and suspected outbreaks in the province are at various stages of management and control.

Since the confirmed Gouda outbreak in November, the disease has been successfully resolved through strong cooperation between various role players. All animals on the infected farm were slaughtered after a suitable abattoir was approved. 

The farm is undergoing cleaning and disinfection.

Vaccination started immediately

On Wednesday (4/2), a private veterinarian from Wellington informed his local state veterinarian of a suspected FMD case at Mbekweni in Paarl. 

The premises were visited immediately, and samples were flown to Pretoria by an animal health technician on the same day.

FMD was confirmed two days later. Animal health officials immediately started vaccination, including cattle belonging to the surrounding owners.

Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious state-controlled disease. Photo: Pexel

Suspected cases have been reported and inspected at George, Mossel Bay (Southern Cape), Mfuleni in the Cape Peninsula, Makhaza and Kalkfontein in the Western Cape.

FMD is a controlled disease, and any suspicion of the disease must be reported immediately to the nearest state veterinarian. The disease is highly contagious and can spread through direct contact with infected animals, vehicles, equipment, clothing and feed, said Winde and provincial agriculture minister Dr Ivan Meyer.

“The Western Cape is taking the necessary action to slow the spread of FMD and vaccinate herds. Our focus is on protecting a critical multi-billion rand industry which employs 50,000 residents,” added Winde.

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OFM Agri/Isabel van Tonder mvh