Article by Viory
Farmers across South Africa are grappling with a foot‑and‑mouth disease outbreak that is killing livestock, and the government has declared a national state of disaster.
Footage captured in Humansdorp on Saturday shows farmers inspecting dead cattle, while others graze or lie down in pain.
“It’s very weird and uncomfortable for you to see […] It’s looking bad. I’ve seen it for the first time, and I don’t want to see it again because it doesn’t look nice. So, if you can avoid this from affecting your animals, please do. And be careful of this disease,” an emerging farmer said.
“It hurts us all, but the thing that we must always keep in mind is to always be strong and keep focus on what is ahead, not behind you. Keep your eyes on the lord, and we all pray for a better tomorrow,” he added.
Municipal TLB machines are digging pits to bury infected animals, while vaccination teams protect local herds. Checkpoints have also been set up to spray vehicle tyres and prevent the virus from spreading beyond Humansdorp.
Kouga Municipality Deputy Mayor Timothy Jantjies explained the municipality ‘cannot afford’ to let the disease spread beyond the area, urging stricter control of movement.
“Any moving human being or animal can carry this disease, and it is important to realise: the less movement we have, the better chance we have to fight. So we’re trying to contain it,” Timothy stated.
“As much as the state is supporting this whole program, as much as the state is putting vaccines in place and people to do the vaccinations in place, you, as a farmer, are responsible directly for your own herd of cattle, and the only way you can do that is if you become a stakeholder,” he continued.
The disease reportedly affects cattle, sheep and other hoofed animals, posing no direct threat to humans.
President Cyril Ramaphosa declared a national state of disaster on Thursday, allowing the government to coordinate a response. South Africa has since produced its first locally made foot‑and‑mouth disease vaccine in more than 20 years.
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen said a mass vaccination campaign is underway, targeting hundreds of thousands of cattle. More than one million doses will be distributed in the coming weeks, alongside imported vaccines from Argentina, Botswana, and Turkey.
The outbreak has also hit South Africa’s beef exports, with some neighbouring countries stopping imports to protect their livestock.
Article by Viory
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