Outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease spreads from KZN to Mpumalanga and Gauteng

THE Department of Agriculture has confirmed a worrying outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) that is making its way beyond KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) into neighbouring provinces, including Mpumalanga and Gauteng.

- YOGASHEN PILLAY

On Saturday, the department provided an update regarding the spread of this animal disease, which poses a significant threat to livestock farmers across the country.

"Two new cases, outside of KZN have been confirmed. One farm in Mpumalanga which was identified as part of trace-forward exercises from a positive auction in Utrecht, KwaZulu Natal," said the department.

"Although these animals showed no clinical signs of disease, further investigations have confirmed that the virus has spread to adjacent camps on the same farm."

The department added that there were no indications that other farms had become infected, but veterinary services were continuing with clinical inspection and testing of livestock on farms in the area.

"Another farm was reported in Gauteng. Clinical signs suspicious of FMD were noted in a feedlot that received animals from an auction in Heidelberg; samples were collected and prioritised for testing," it said.