The Western Cape Department of Agriculture’s Veterinary Services has placed a property in Gouda under quarantine. This comes after a farmer in the Free State reported suspected foot-and-mouth disease lesions in cattle recently transported from the Gouda area.
Foot-and-mouth disease is a controlled animal disease in
South Africa. Any suspicion of the disease must be reported immediately to a
state veterinarian. FMD is highly contagious and spreads through direct contact
between infected animals, as well as via contaminated vehicles, equipment, feed
and clothing. It affects cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, sheep, goats,
and pigs, causing painful sores in the mouth and on the feet. FMD does not
affect humans.
COURTESY: WCDoAThe department’s spokesperson, Mary James, says that during
the inspection, veterinarians observed suspected lesions in the animals’ mouths.
She adds that samples have been collected and sent for laboratory testing to
confirm or rule out FMD.
‘’The origin of the potentially infected cattle is still
being verified. The transport company responsible for moving the animals is
under investigation, and all properties linked to this company over the past 30
days will be contacted and inspected.’’
‘’Two additional properties, located in the Velddrif and
Bredasdorp areas, from which cattle had been moved on 30 October 2025, have
also been placed under quarantine and will be inspected,’’ added James.
To prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth-disease, farm
biosecurity measures must be implemented and maintained, all cloven-hoofed
animals must be transported with a health declaration and a declaration that
they will be kept in isolation at the destination for 28 days.
Doe By: Mitchum George
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