Increased measures to contain the spread of latest Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak

THE North West has become the latest province to be hit by a Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak, prompting emergency containment measures, quarantine orders, and a national industry-wide response to stop the spread of the highly contagious animal virus.

- MANDILAKHE TSHWETE

The provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development confirmed that two separate incidents of FMD were detected in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, within the JB Marks Local Municipality.

One of the outbreaks was flagged by a private veterinarian who observed suspicious symptoms during a routine farm visit.

Samples tested at the Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute confirmed the presence of the virus. The second case was picked up at an abattoir in Madibeng. While the animals showed no symptoms during the ante-mortem inspection, FMD lesions were discovered on the slaughter line.

Tissue samples confirmed the presence of both SAT 2 and SAT 3 serotypes of the virus.