What does Foot and Mouth disease in South Africa – a viral contagion that impacts livestock – have to do with traffic stops? Well, Foot and Mouth disease in South Africa has the potential to have severe economic impact on the country, says the World Organisation of Animal Health. As a result, it is classified as a state-controlled disease. Like we need another one of those …
Therefore, the Kouga municipality in the Eastern Cape is enforcing 20-minute traffic stops between Humansdorp and St Francis Bay. This is where the latest outbreak has been reported, and it is a critical control point to keep the viral contagion from spreading. These measures mitigate the movement of the infection, particularly as cows cross this road for grazing.
To contain the outbreak, authorities close the road four times a day to facilitate the safe crossing of cows. Following each crossing, an extensive clean-up and disinfection process, lasting about 20 minutes, is then conducted, explains the municipality. The Eastern Cape joins KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State for unresolved outbreaks of Foot and Mouth disease in South Africa. The original source is not yet been confirmed, but epidemiological investigation is ongoing.
TWENTY MINUTE INTERVALS
Furthermore 20-minute intervals for the crossing and cleaning are scheduled at 05h00, 09h00, 14h00 and 17h00 each day. Where possible, motorists are urged to use alternative routes to minimise disruptions to their travel plans. Although Foot and Mouth disease is not readily transmissible to humans, it can have a negative impact on farmers, agriculture and the economy in general.
This is why government has previously implemented restrictions on the movement of animals during outbreaks. Therefore, it is illegal to move any cloven-hoofed animals and their products without permission from state veterinary services.
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