Foot and mouth disease isolated: Dept

Friday, May 13, 2011

Pretoria - The Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries says the viruses involved in the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in KwaZulu-Natal has been isolated

The virus was isolated from samples collected from one dip tank in the province and a feedlot in Gauteng province, the ministry said in a statement issued on Thursday.

An investigation found that the disease originated from a 2006 outbreak in the northern part of the Kruger National Park.

"This revelation puts to rest speculation on the origin of the infection and also points out that the infection did not originate from any neighbouring country," the department said.

The department reassured that more than 93 000 cattle have been vaccinated and the disease is under control, with a second round of vaccinations under way.