Western Cape farmers cautioned to be on high alert for livestock diseases

The Western Cape Department of Agriculture has issued warnings about foot-and-mouth disease, as well as vaccination and movement requirements for African horse sickness in control areas.

- Glenneis Kriel

Farmers in the Western Cape have been reminded that vaccinations for African horse sickness (AHS) are only allowed in the AHS-controlled areas during winter. This was according to Dr Gininda Msiza, chief director of Veterinary Services at the Western Cape Department of Agriculture.

AHS outbreaks countrywide have resulted in areas in all provinces that fall outside the controlled area being closed or partially closed for direct movement of animals into the AHScontrolled area of the Western Cape.

Horses typically developed a high fever, and those whose lungs were affected struggled to breathe and could have a frothy nasal discharge. Death could occur suddenly, with about 90% of affected animals dying if they were unvaccinated.

When the heart of a horse was affected, the survival rate increased to 50%, with the onset of death ranging between four and eight days after a fever was noticed. Symptoms included fever, followed by swelling of the eyes, and in severe cases the entire head.

Horses might also manifest with a mixture of lung and heart symptoms.