GIYANI – A foot-and-mouth disease outbreak was reported in an area east of Giyani last week. Nine cattle with new lesions of foot-and-mouth disease were discovered during a routine weekly inspection at Makosha.

According to the press officer, Mr Ndo Mangala, the animals were found in six different owners’ herds, with a total of 112 cattle between the owners. Makosha is situated in the angle between the Nsami Dam and Mangombe Nature Reserve.

According to Mangala, it is not a new infection, as the virus is the same as previously identified. He added that the new area of spread of the disease is 60 days since the last infection and has necessitated delaying the lifting on restrictions within that area. “This means that the clinical end point of the current outbreak has not yet been reached and it will cause delays to the ending of the campaign,” he said.

He added that the surrounding area has now been vaccinated for the third time and that the roadblocks around the area have been strengthened. The quarantine area is been vaccinated currently for its third planned vaccination.

The roadblocks in the southern area of the outbreak at Tzaneen, Gravelotte and Phalaborwa have been lifted due to the good response to the control measures. The area, however, remains a controlled area in terms of the Animal Diseases Act. A briefing meeting to explain the long-term effects of the current campaign is scheduled for November 2 at the Gravelotle State vet’s office at 10:00.

Mangalala emphasised that the movememt of all cloven-hoofed animals, including game, their products (carcasses, meat and meat products, dairy products, skins and hides, manures etc) and grass and hay are restricted. All of these animals or items can be confiscated if the owner is not in possession of adequate documentation or a Veterinary Move-ment Permit.

Any enquiries can be directed to the Foot and Mouth Control Centre at 015-318-4331 or fax 015- 318-6074 or 7 Smarag Street, Gravelotte.

Permits for movements outside the declared surveillance area can be obtained during office hours from the state vet offices at Makhado, Sibasa, Polokwane, Hoedspruit, Gravelotte and Tzaneen.