China suspends cloven hoofed imports due to disease outbreak in SA

THE People’s Republic of China has suspended imports of cloven hoofed animals and related products following the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak in KwaZulu-Natal and its recent spread to Mpumalanga and Gauteng.

- THOBEKA NGEMA

The KZN Department of Agriculture has said there has been 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.

The department said 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.

"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 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. Laboratory results for these samples are positive and confirm that this is the same virus that is circulating in parts of KwaZulu-Natal," Maja said.

"An epidemiological investigation is underway to trace back and trace forward all other animals that were bought and sold at the same auction."