Mokhotlong, March 17 — Awareness campaigns are currently being conducted to inform farmers and the general public about the impact of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in the district.
The District Veterinary Officer Dr. ‘Mats’ola Mabesa said this when making a presentation on the current situation regarding FMD outbreak at the Cross border meeting between Mokhotlong district and Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Municipality held in Mokhotlong on Tuesday.
Dr. Mabesa said that the awareness campaigns follow 22 confirmed cases of FMD outbreak in the district.
She had earlier and in a different meeting disclosed that the outbreak was identified at one of the cattle posts at Matsoku in the district.
She added that farmers are informed about the impact of the disease over their livestock and products as well as the economy of the country.
She further mentioned that surveillance on the extent of the infection is also being carried out at a place where the cases have been confirmed, in order to minimize its spread.
She said foot and mouth is a highly contagious viral, air-borne disease of livestock that has a significant economic impact and affects cattle, pigs, sheep and goats.
Dr. Mabesa mentioned that reared animals especially cattle are more susceptible to the disease adding that it does not affect humans.
She said the disease is characterised by fever and blister-like sores on the tongue and lips, in the mouth, on the teats and between the hooves.
The disease causes severe production losses, and, while the majority of affected animals recover, the disease often leaves them weakened.
Reacting on the same issue, was Mr. Lebogang Molefe, who at the meeting stood in for the Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Municipal Manager said South Africa has already conducted vaccination campaigns to protect the livestock especially cattle against FMD.
He requested Lesotho to also do the same to avoid infections that may be caused by animals crossing from Lesotho illegally to South Africa.
Meanwhile an outbreak of the foot and mouth diseases has been reported in the districts of Butha Buthe and Qacha’s Nek last month and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition has already enforced movement restrictions of animals to prevent the disease from spreading.
The cross border meeting between Mokhotlong district and Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Municipality from the Kwazulu Natal Province are held quarterly to address issues of mutual concern as well as strengthen the relations that exist for Lesotho and South Africa.
Ends/LU/tl
