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 revealed that cases were linked to an auction in Utrecht, KZN, in February. FMD has since spread to Mpumalanga and Gauteng.

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

Recently, Agriculture and Rural Development MEC Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa conducted a site visit to the affected dip tanks.

KaMadlopha-Mthethwa 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 over 500 000 cattle have been vaccinated to prevent the transmission and spread of FMD.

KaMadlopha-Mthethwa said these measures form a vital part of the department's strategy to regulate and eventually eliminate the disease.