The Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform has started vaccinating cattle in the Kouga Municipality, following the confirmation of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).
On Worker's Day, the National Veterinary Reference laboratory confirmed the presence of the virus in a diary herd located in Humansdorp.
The Kouga Municipality took swift action by establishing a control point along the road between Humansdorp and St Francis Bay to mitigate the spread of the highly contagious virus.
The Chief Director for Veterinary Services Dr Cebisa Mnqeta says 70 animals showed clinical signs and an average of 10 new cases are now reported every day.
He says the infected farm, adjacent neighbouring farms and contact farms, have been put under quarantine while they wait for laboratory results to rule out the presence of FMD.
Dr Mnqeta says a joint operation centre has been established at the Kouga Municipality to coordinate the work of all key stakeholders to contain the further spread of the disease in the Eastern Cape.
Signs and Symptoms
Hypersalivation.
The animal refuses to eat and when the mouth is opened vesicles and ulceration in the tongue and buccal membranes are observed.
Lameness is observed which will result in a drop in milk production especially in the highest producing dairy animals.
Clinical signs can vary from mild to severe, and fatalities may occur, especially in young animals.
