China suspends imports of cloven hoofed animals due to FMD outbreak

THE People's Republic of China has suspended imports of cloven hoofed animals and related products following foot and mouth disease outbreaks in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Gauteng.

- THOBEKA NGEMA

Local government authorities understand that China's stance was not radical, but a precautionary step that some nations opt to take. This follows the confirmation of two new FMD cases outside KZN.

A farm in Mpumalanga was identified as part of trace-forward exercises from a positive auction in Utrecht, KZN.

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

"There are no indications that other farms have become infected, but veterinary services are continuing with clinical inspection and testing of livestock on farms in the area," said Agriculture Director: Animal Health, Dr Mpho Maja.

Maja said another farm was reported positive 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. The laboratory results were positive and confirmed that this is the same virus that is circulating in parts of KwaZulu-Natal," Maja said.