Foot-and-mouth disease outbreak confirmed in Limpopo

Three separate outbreaks of Foot-and-mouth disease [FMD] have been detected in the Vhembe and Waterberg districts, Limpopo.

FMD is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals [cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats], causing fever, painful blisters in the mouth and on the feet.

It’s a major economic threat to livestock but does not affect humans, unlike Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease [HFMD] in children.

It spreads rapidly through animal contact, secretions, or contaminated items, causing severe economic losses due to trade bans and culling, though it’s rarely fatal in adults. 

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In Vhembe, the first case was confirmed in Khubvi Village, and a second infection was detected at the Vivo auction facility.

The third outbreak involves two neighbouring commercial feedlots, Leeupoort and Witklip, in the Waterberg District Municipality.

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The Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development says they have put stringent containment systems to stop the movement of livestock from affected areas and intensified vaccination programmes in affected areas.

The department has also called on livestock owners to immediately report clinical signs of FMD – which include fever, excessive salivation, mouth lesions, and lameness – and to avoid any animal movement without explicit permission from state veterinary services.