Progress in combating foot-and- mouth disease

THE KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has expressed satisfaction with the progress made in curbing the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the province.

- THOBEKA NGEMA

A traceback epidemiological investigation showed that cases were linked to an auction in Utrecht, KZN, in February. The disease has since spread to Mpumalanga and Gauteng.

In KZN, an outbreak of the disease was confirmed in Amajuba, uMkhanyakude, Zululand, King Cetshwayo and uMzinyathi districts.

MEC Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa recently conducted a site visit to the affected dip tanks. She said she was happy with the progress so far, but noted that more work needed to be done to eradicate FMD.

"We have visited different affected areas and witnessed some good work being done, we also continue to plead with our people to bring their cattle for animal health care," kaMadlopha-Mthethwa said.

The MEC said more than 500 000 cattle had been vaccinated to prevent the transmission and spread of FMD.

She said these measures were a vital part of the department's strategy to regulate and eventually eliminate the disease.