Maseru, Feb. 24 — Whilst the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition, is working tirelessly to combat lumpy skin disease, the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in the northern part of the country has been confirmed.
According to the statement from the Ministry, the outbreak was reported on February 18 after cattle showing clinical signs consistent with the FMD case definition were identified at a cattle post in Mahlase, within the Botha-Bothe district, which borders the South African Free State Province.
It indicates that 17 cattle were sampled from the affected herd and that the laboratory testing confirmed that six of the samples were positive for FMD antibodies using the Non-Structural Protein (NSP) competitive ELISA test, indicating infection.
It adds that further diagnostic samples, including epithelial tissue and serum, have been submitted to the World Organisation for Animal Health Reference Laboratory in Botswana for virus typing and intigenic vaccine matching, saying results will be communicated once available.
It therefore indicates that the department has immediately placed the affected cattle under strict quarantine, neighbouring cattle posts are under strict precautionary quarantine and active surveillance, movement control of cloven-hoofed animals in and around the affected area has been enforced and epidemiological investigations and tracing of animal movements are ongoing.
It concludes by urging livestock farmers, traders and the public to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspected cases of excessive salivation, lameness, mouth lesions or hoof lesions in cattle, sheep, and pigs to the nearest veterinary office.
Meanwhile, the Ministry earlier established the FMD Multi-Sectoral Task Team
as the strategic government initiative to combat this disease.
However, it was earlier disclosed that the task team was not operational yet as the Ministry was still awaiting the presence of a Veterinary Epidemiologist, who will lead the team so that it could function effectively.
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