All farms/locations that are infected and/or suspected of being infected with FMD will be subjected to state veterinary quarantine and other compulsory disease control measures. Farms and premises that are not infected or suspected of being infected with FMD can apply in writing on the prescribed “Application for foot and mouth disease vaccination” form, and permission must be given by the Provincial director before vaccination is undertaken. 

If the owner of the animals prefers to make use of the services of a private veterinarian for the vaccination of his/her animals, then he/she must request the private veterinarian to make contact with the local state veterinarian to complete the relevant part of the application form. In order to apply, there must be no clinical signs of FMD or positive/suspect test results indicating the presence of FMD virus on the farm.

Private veterinarians must have permission to vaccinate against FMD. Photo: Pexel

Vaccinated animals must have a unique individual identification, recorded in a database. There will be no movement restrictions on voluntarily vaccinated animals, except for the requirement on life-long traceability of seropositive animals. There must be regular inspection of the vaccinated herd by the owner.

Any SASV-registered private veterinarian will be permitted to obtain and use FMD vaccines, provided the private veterinarian has been nominated in writing by the farmer/owner of the animals in order to respect the veterinarian-client-patient relationship as per SAVC rules.

Written permission from the provincial head (director or chief director) of veterinary services must also be obtained. Private veterinarians who wish to assist with the FMD vaccination roll-out must contact the farmer/owner of the animals for nomination as part of the request received, as well as the local state veterinarian.

Application for vaccination forms must be completed and signed by the state veterinarian. Photo: Pexel

The private veterinarian will be expected to work under the lead and guidance of the state veterinarian. If the private veterinarian intends to work in a wider area, the application must be supported by all state veterinarians involved.

For the farmer of the animals to nominate a private veterinarian and for state veterinarians to support the request for permission, the application for FMD vaccination form must be completed, and the application must be signed by the local state veterinarian.

A report of all completed applications must be sent electronically to epidemiology@nda.gov.za on a monthly basis.

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OFM Agri/Isabel van Tonder mvh