Foot-and-mouth disease in Tete: Government bans animal circulation

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

Foot-and-mouth disease in Tete: Government bans animal circulation

11:54 CAT | 30 Nov 2017

Domingo (File photo)

The movement of cattle, pigs, goats and sheep for breeding and slaughtering, meat and by-products of these animals from the Tete’s Dôa district has been banned because of a suspected outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the area bordering Malawi.

The ban by the National Veterinary Directorate (DINAV) also prohibits the transit of fodder from the district.

The suspected outbreak follows the movement of cattle to an infected area of Malawi to drink water.

According to a statement from DINAV, measures to control the movement and transit of animals, products, by-products and fodder along national roads have also been enacted. The use of foot and wheel baths at key entry points in the Dôa district and on the borders with Malawi has also been activated.

“Following the suspicion of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the country, DINAV authorised the pre-shipment clinical examination of animals to be transferred from the other districts of the province of Tete and individual identification of the animals authorised to be transferred,” the statement reads.

The situation also prohibits the transport of animals to different destinations in the same vehicle, and sealing the means of transport of cattle moved throughout the province is mandatory, in addition to inspection on all highways.

A document in our possession signed by the national director of Veterinary Medicine, Américo Manuel da Conceição, also mandates the ” inspection of animals by the veterinary authority of the area of jurisdiction at the place of destination and in the act of unloading”.

The measures adopted will enter into force immediately and be reviewed in the light of the evolution of the outbreak situation, laboratory results and reports on the health situation. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MASA) will continue to monitor the situation in order to prevent the outbreak of the disease elsewhere in the country.

Foot and mouth disease is a highly contagious viral disease of ruminants and swine caused by seven serotypes of the virus of the genus Aphthovirus. The most common serotypes for Mozambique are SAT 1, 2, 3 and O. The southern and central areas of the country are those most affected by foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks.

Source: Notícias