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By Levy Masiteng
The Drakenstein Municipality in the Western Cape was placed under immediate veterinary quarantine over the weekend after a confirmed case of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in the area.
The municipality said the quarantine was imposed after the disease was detected in Vlakkeland, outside Paarl, prompting swift intervention by the State Veterinarian in terms of the Animal Diseases Act.
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“As a result, the municipality remains under strict veterinary control to prevent further spread of the highly contagious livestock disease,” the municipality said in a statement.
It said that all cloven-hoofed animals — cattle, sheep, goats and pigs — are regarded as suspected of infection until cleared by veterinary authorities.
“The movement of cloven-hoofed animals, animal products, feed, equipment or carcasses is strictly prohibited unless authorised through a special permit issued by the State Veterinarian,” the municipality said. “These measures are critical to contain the disease and protect the agricultural economy of the region.”
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The municipality said it is working closely with the Western Cape Department of Agriculture to manage the situation and mitigate the impact on local farmers.
“As part of our support interventions, the municipality is assisting affected farmers with daily water provision and ongoing coordination with veterinary services,” the statement read.
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen was overseeing the rollout of FMD vaccination programmes across the Western Cape as part of efforts to curb transmission and protect vulnerable livestock.
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Vaccinations are being prioritised in high-risk and affected areas.
As part of the intervention, about 450 cattle were inoculated at Fisantekraal in Cape Town on Sunday under the Western Cape Department of Agriculture’s 21-point action plan to combat the national FMD outbreak.
“Residents, farmers and livestock owners are urged to comply with biosecurity measures, avoid unnecessary movement of animals, and follow veterinary guidance,” Drakenstein Municipality said.
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