DURBAN - MINISTER of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza, has narrowed the list of areas in the disease management area (DMA) that were affected by foot and mouth disease in KwaZulu-Natal.
Didiza’s announcement came after the second round of serological surveillance confirmed the disease was still confined to two clusters of dip tanks in KwaNongoma and Mtubatuba.
“Since the disease did not spread within or outside of the DMA, the size of the KZN DMA can now be decreased. This will release areas that remained free of the disease from movement restrictions, while still maintaining restrictions on those areas where the disease is still present,” Didiza said in a statement.
Didiza gazetted the new DMA which comprises the entire Mtubatuba, Nongoma and Mfolozi local municipalities and Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park; portions of the Pongola local municipality east of the R66, and south and west of the N2; the uMhlathuze local municipality north of the R34; and the Big Five Hlabisa local municipality west of the N2.
Foot and mouth disease had been detected in 29 locations, which included two clusters of dip tanks in communal grazing land. The newly excluded local municipalities from the DMA included Jozini, eDumbe, Abaqulusi, Umhlabuyalingana, Ulundi, Nkandla, uMlalazi and Mthonjaneni. They are now released from movement restrictions.
Didiza hailed communities and farmers who aided in combating the spread of foot and mouth disease by adhering to the movement restrictions.
“Movement of cloven-hoofed animals and their products into, out of, through, or within the DMA is still only allowed on authority of a permit issued by the veterinary services of the area. The movement protocol can be obtained from KZN veterinary services,” Didiza said.
“Visible veterinary patrols and roadblocks will remain in place in the reduced DMA to control the movement of livestock and to monitor adherence to the movement protocol.”
Didiza encouraged those in the DMA to continue to abide by the law and follow all necessary protocols outlined by the department.
“These restrictions are deemed necessary to prevent the escape of the virus out of the affected areas. As soon as it is clear restrictions will be reconsidered.”
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (Ezemvelo) and iSimangaliso Wetlands Park still had their control measures in place – compulsory wheel- and wheel-arch spraying at gate entries, to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease into the protected areas.
Daily News