The progress with vaccinations in the province is already showing positive results. (Photo: iStock)
The Western Cape Department of Agriculture’s veterinary services, Agri Western Cape (AWK), and the Western Cape Provincial Disaster Management Center are currently fighting on all fronts to stop the spread of foot-and-mouth disease in the province.
With thousands of vaccinations already administered and new supplies reaching the province, there is now an intensive focus on specific hotspots within biosecurity zones.
The progress with vaccinations in the province is already showing positive results.
“More than 12,000 vaccinations have been successfully administered to combat the spread. The Western Cape is also ready to receive 30,000 vaccinations from the one million doses that arrived in South Africa this past weekend,” says Rojeanne de Wet, public relations officer of Agri Western Cape.
“However, it is reserved exclusively for emergency vaccinations within the established biosecurity zones to have the greatest possible effect where it is most needed.”
According to De Wet, significant progress has already been made with the protection of livestock in the Cape Metropolis.
Vaccinations were carried out in Nyanga, Kalkfontein and Mfuleni, while 372 animals were vaccinated in Phesantekraal. Meanwhile, Makhaza remains under strict quarantine to limit any further risk of spread.
Photo of a vet for illustration purposes only. (Photo: Jeff Pachoud / AFP).
“There is good cooperation among the informal livestock farmers who forge close ties with the authorities to protect their animals. State veterinarians are constantly accompanied by officials during their rounds, while law enforcement plays a crucial role in creating awareness and informing livestock owners of the necessary protocols.”
De Wet says vaccinations have also already been done in Klapmuts in the Cape Winelands, and livestock on surrounding farms are now systematically vaccinated based on a scientific risk analysis and the availability of the new vaccine stock.
Vaccinations in the Garden Route progressed rapidly over the weekend, with government vets vaccinating around 7,500 animals in informal settlements.
“All control and control points remain in place, but are strategically moved as the 10 km radius around the index farm has expanded,” says De Wet.
In Mossel Bay, law enforcement and local producers joined hands to set up decontamination points to further strengthen biosecurity.
“The cooperation from the informal farming communities is extremely positive and the increased awareness among all role players is already showing clear results in the control of the outbreak.”
Although there are currently no suspected cases reported in the Central Karoo or the Overberg, Agri Western Cape warns that there is no room for negligence.
“We urgently call on every producer to apply the strictest possible biosecurity measures on their farms to maintain this status quo. It is essential that no animals are moved without the correct and legal documentation.
“Anyone who notices even the slightest suspicious symptoms in their livestock must immediately report it to their nearest state veterinarian, so that quick and effective action can be taken to prevent further spread,” says De Wet.
Further updates will be provided as new information becomes available.