Foot and Mouth Disease confirmed in Western Cape, South Africa

Western Cape Veterinary Services has confirmed a case of Foot and Mouth Disease on a farm near Gouda, South Africa prompting immediate containment measures.

The affected property has been placed under quarantine, along with two additional farms in the Velddrif and Bredasdorp areas from which animals are believed to have been moved. All farms with cloven hoofed animals within a 10-kilometre radius have also been quarantined. Veterinary teams are currently conducting detailed inspections and surveillance across these properties.

An investigation into the transport company involved in the livestock movement is under way. All properties that have had contact with the company in the past 30 days will be traced and inspected.

Western Cape Veterinary Services has urged livestock owners not to move any cloven-hoofed animals until the full extent of the outbreak have been determined.