A total of 131 animals have tested positive for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) on 18 farms in the Karasburg Veterinary District, with authorities maintaining movement controls to contain the outbreak.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform confirmed that, as of 15 October, the virus circulating in the affected area was identified as SAT 1.
In a veterinary notice issued on 17 October, chief veterinary officer Dr Kenneth Shoombe said disease surveillance, livestock movement controls and tracing of animal movements before the outbreak was detected remained in force.
Raw meat and animal products from registered facilities outside the ||Kharas Region may enter the region with valid documentation. However, the movement of raw meat and animal products fro
m butcheries, abattoirs, slaughterhouses and cold stores within the region remains restricted.
Meat bought from retailers in ||Kharas may be transported for personal consumption if proof of purchase is available. Registered processed animal feed may also be moved into and within the region with proof of purchase.
South of the veterinary cordon fence, livestock from registered feedlots and quarantine facilities may be moved directly to registered abattoirs under strict conditions, including biosecurity measures, traceability checks and negative FMD test results.
Slaughtering livestock at farms or homesteads for sale remains prohibited. Slaughter for home consumption is permitted, provided the meat is not moved from the premises.
The ministry said certain commercially processed meat products, thoroughly cooked meat, registered biltong and droëwors, pasteurised milk products and appropriately treated hides and trophies may continue to move under existing veterinary protocols.
