Disease Information
15 December 2000
Vol. 13 - No. 49
FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE IN SWAZILAND
Virus SAT 1 in imported animals (Follow-up report No. 1)
See also: 1 December 2000
Extract from an e-mail received on 7 December 2000 from Dr Robert S. Thwala, Director of Veterinary and Livestock Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Mbabane:
End of previous report period: 29 November 2000 (see Disease Information, 13 [47], 217, dated 1 December 2000).
End of this report period: 6 December 2000.
Reminder: FMD virus SAT 1 was identified in 8 cattle out of 110 imported from South Africa on 23 November 2000. All 110 imported animals were destroyed and buried under veterinary supervision.
All permits issued for cattle imports from the affected farm in South Africa (see Disease Information, 13 [48], 221, dated 8 December 2000, and 13 [48], 229, dated 15 December 2000) were traced, and 25 bovines were found to have been slaughtered on 28 November 2000 in the abattoir in the city of Manzini, some 11 km to the east of Matsapha. The carcasses, heads and feet were still intact and showed no lesions on examination.
The abattoir was placed under provisional quarantine while further investigations were being made, including 25 local cattle and 56 sheep which were immediately examined and showed no signs of infection.
Blood and tissue samples from the interdigital areas of the animals at Manzini abattoir were taken on 4 December, with negative results, confirmed by the Onderstepoort Institute for Exotic Diseases (South Africa) on 6 December.
The animals were all slaughtered under veterinary supervision for human consumption and the abattoir will be reopened in due course.
The 25 carcasses of the imported cattle were found to have an average pH of 5.4. These carcasses were released for deboning of the meat, under veterinary supervision, for human consumption, and the bones, heads and feet were incinerated.
Quarantine zone:
For the purposes of ensuring extended security against any potential outbreak or spread of the disease beyond the outbreak area, 13 diptank areas, extending over a 15-km radius beyond Manzini from the outbreak area, were placed under quarantine with active monitoring and surveillance:
place tank area place tank area Matsapha 460 Maholwane 579 A Logoba 448 Maholwane 579 B Manzini 449 J.C. Bar 793 Lugebhuta 828 Malunguza 589 Ngabezweni 802 Mzimnene 479 Gcina 577 Lazy Jay 450 Lusushwana 491 Excelsior 490
Out of a total of 7,174 cattle in the quarantine zone, 4,984 cattle have been subjected to a buccal examination and it is planned to complete the remainder by 13 December 2000.
Thirteen roadblocks have been established to conduct thorough searches to prevent any prohibited animals and animal products from being moved out of or into the quarantine zone. The roadblocks are manned by the Police, Army and veterinary personnel on a 24-hour shift basis. Prohibited products are confiscated and destroyed if the owners are unable to retain them back to their origin.
Surveillance zone:
Another 10 diptank areas around the quarantine zone were placed under surveillance:
place tank area place tank area Zombodze 438 Lolala 787 Mtilane 439 Bhidlilili 447 Sigombeni 428 Mzimpofu 456 Thubunga 476 Sihhohhweni 429 Moyeni Dairy 564 Hillview 463
The controlled area has thus been extended to more than 23 km beyond Manzini, away from the outbreak area.
To date, no clinical signs of FMD have been found or reported in either the quarantine zone or the surveillance zone.
The rest of the country remains 'FMD-free without vaccination'. Normal trade in animals and animal products outside the 'guard areas' remains unaffected by the Matsapha incident.
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