Pretoria - The outbreak of foot-and mouth disease (FMD) in a communal grazing area, north of Phalaborwa, in Limpopo, has no effect on South Africa’s export activities.
According to the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, an outbreak of FMD was detected on 17 July in cattle by the Limpopo Provincial Veterinary Services.
“The outbreak occurred within South Africa’s FMD protection zone, and therefore has no effect on South Africa’s export activities. Vaccination in the surrounding areas, in response to the outbreak, will take place,” said Antoinette Fourie from the department’s communication services.
The outbreak was confirmed by laboratory tests on 18 July and identified as a SAT 1 strain of FMD virus.
Fourie said the Limpopo Provincial Veterinary Services was investigating the outbreak and applying control measures such as quarantine of the affected cattle and movement control of cloven-hooved animals in the surrounding areas. - SAnews.gov.za
