Foot and mouth disease: Movement of animals restricted in parts of Mozambique – Notícias

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Foot and mouth disease: Movement of animals restricted in parts of Mozambique – Notícias

2:01 CAT | 28 Oct 2024

File photo: Notícias

Mozambique is intensifying restrictions on the movement of cattle as a measure to prevent and control the spread of foot and mouth disease (FMD) cases detected in the districts of Massingir, in Gaza province, and Manhiça, in Maputo province. The virus is currently confined to the localities of Machamba, Zulo and Mucatine, with scattered cases also in Manhiça.

There is imminent risk of the disease emerging in the districts of Chókwè, in Gaza, and Magude, in Maputo province, due to their proximity to the affected areas.

The authorities have banned the movement of cattle, goats, sheep and pigs for breeding in the districts of Chicualacuala, Mapai, Mabalane, Massagena and Massingir. The movement of animals for slaughter and fodder for livestock feed is also prohibited.

In the meantime, veterinarians have been inspecting animals in the districts of Massingir and surrounding areas for evidence of the disease on a weekly basis, in addition to vaccinating them.

While increased attention is being paid to Gaza, the authorities are easing restrictions in Tete, Manica and Niassa, given the improvement in the animal health situation there. Yhe ban on internal movement of animals for slaughter in these provinces has been lifted, provided that they have received the first dose of the foot-and-mouth disease vaccine one month previously.

The movement and slaughter of animals is allowed to other parts of the country upon presentation of a two-dose FMD vaccination card.

Mozambique is investigating the strains of the virus causing the current outbreaks of the disease in order to acquire a suitable vaccine for the second round of immunization.

Samples from infected animals are sent to reference laboratories for testing and comparison of the type of virus and strains contained in the vaccine produced worldwide.

Foot-and-mouth disease is an acute infectious disease that causes fever, followed by the appearance of ulcers, mainly in the mouth and on the feet of infected animals.

Source: Notícias