Limpopo

Introduction & Summary On 7 January 2019, an outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease (FMD) was confirmed in cattle in the Vhembe district of Limpopo Province. The outbreak occurred in the high surveillance area of the FMD Free Zone, immediately adjacent to the protection zone. The outbreak was reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and as a result South Africa lost its FMD free zone without vaccination status. Map 1: Location of the FMD Outbreak in the FMD Free Zone of South Africa Outbreaks Reported Up to 15 February 2019, 5 positive locations have been confirmed by the Transboundary Animal Disease programme of Onderstepoort Veterinary Research. It is reported to the OIE . These locations are all in close proximity within the Disease Management Area that was declared in Limpopo Province. The affected animals are cattle kept in rural villages with communal dip tanks and grazing. Control Measures Implemented A Disease Management Area was declared and the details published in the Government Gazette. This area is enclosed by the R81 Road, the R36 Road, N1 and the R524 Road. Map 2: Area defined as the FMD Outbreak Management Area A Joints Operations Committee (JOC) was establish. And meets on a daily basis, consisting of Traffic, Departmental and District Disaster Management, Police, Industry (The National Animal Health Forum, Feedlot Association) and Provincial and DAFF veterinary officials. The JOC was facilitated the placement of 16 road blocks at strategic points. A Veterinary Operations Committee (VOC), which meets daily, was […]