Intensive follow-up investigations were conducted after suspect FMD laboratory results were received from a few cattle in the Greater Tubatse Local Municipality on 6 October 2010. The area under investigation was placed under quarantine and region-wide surveillance and sampling of cattle was conducted with additional laboratory tests according to internationally recognised protocols.

All of the follow-up surveillance and laboratory testing proved negative. There were no clinical signs of disease or serological evidence of spread of the disease and no FMD virus was detectable. It can thus be concluded that there is no outbreak of FMD in the FMD-free zone in the Limpopo Province.

The status of South Africa’s internationally recognised FMD-free zone is not compromised and there are no restrictions on trade.

For further information contact:

Ms N. Vutula
Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Tel: +27 (0) 12 319 7348
Fax: +27 (0) 12 319 7832
Mobile: +27 (0) 82 523 4904
E-mail: CDCI@daff.gov.za
Website:www.daff.gov.za