Suspected Foot and Mouth Disease case raises alarm in Swartland Municipality
The Swartland Municipality has called for action and collaboration in response to a suspected Foot and Mouth Disease case, aiming to safeguard local agriculture and farmer livelihoods.
Image: File
The Swartland Municipality has announced a suspected case of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), raising concerns in one of the Western Cape’s vital dairy regions. Efforts are being coordinated with the Western Cape Department of Agriculture’s State Veterinary Services to monitor the situation closely, as stakeholders brace for potential impact on the agricultural sector.
The affected farm, located on the outskirts of Cape Town, is currently under surveillance while awaiting laboratory confirmation of the suspected infection.
"We are awaiting lab confirmation, until lab confirmation has been received, all protocols will be followed as if this is a confirmed positive case," said the municipality.
"Swartland Municipal Law Enforcement will continue to work closely with various partners to enforce a movement control zone.
"Swartland Municipality has requested feedback from the Provincial Department of Agriculture on when the rollout of FMD vaccines will be possible in Swartland."
The vaccinations form part of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture’s 21-point action plan to combat the national FMD outbreak in the Western Cape, where the Department of Agriculture will deploy veterinarians and animal health technicians to vaccinate about 450 cattle.
Image: Theolin Tembo/Independent Newspapers
The municipality said it has also approached the Provincial Department of Agriculture for information on the rollout of FMD vaccines within its boundaries. With dairy farming being a cornerstone of Swartland’s economy, the need for swift action and cooperation among all stakeholders is paramount, it stated.
In a related development, Premier Alan Winde and Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Dr Ivan Meyer, revealed an escalating response to the provincial FMD outbreak. On Friday, February 20, the officials updated the public with plans to distribute over 400,000 doses of vaccines, building on an initial allocation of 30,000 doses from the national government.
As part of a comprehensive 21-point response plan, the Western Cape Government has outlined measures to better manage livestock movement, enhance monitoring and surveillance, and bolster communication protocols.
The establishment of a "War Room" by the WCDoA aims to bring various stakeholders together to collaborate on containing the spread of the disease, a critical action given the gravity of the situation.
Among the key initiatives declared were the accreditation of the Western Cape Provincial Veterinary Laboratory for FMD testing and an open registration for private veterinarians to support the vaccination efforts. These steps indicate a well-rounded strategy to tackle the outbreak effectively.
Premier Winde stressed the importance of biosecurity in this battle, stating, “We are fighting to protect the livelihoods of thousands of farmers, to secure jobs and the future of our agricultural exports. This is a collective responsibility, and we need every livestock owner to stand with us.” He urged residents to comply with safety measures and report any signs of illness promptly, underlining the risk posed by neglecting basic hygiene protocols.
To facilitate communication and quick responses, the agriculture sector is encouraged to use the WCDoA’s dedicated FMD hotline at 080 928 4102 (Press 1 for FMD). As the municipality navigates these tumultuous waters, the cooperation of all stakeholders will be crucial to mitigate the spread and effects of Foot and Mouth Disease.
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