Mokhotlong, May 27 — Mokhotlong has 71 confirmed cases of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and 503 reported cases since the outbreak of the disease in the district.
The District Agricultural Extension Officer (DEO), Mr. Thapelo Mothae said this when updating members of the District Disaster Management Team (DDMT) on FMD related issues at a one day meeting held on Wednesday.
He said that cattle are mostly affected, adding that the more numbers are from the Mapholaneng Resource Centre.
Mr. Mothae stated that in an effort to curb the disease from further spreading, the Department of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition will lead a roadshow on FMD in Mapholaneng on Friday.
He said the aim is to educate the livestock farmers and the general public about the disease and its symptoms for timely reporting to enhance protection when they notice suspicious symptoms on their livestock.
The DEO mentioned that besides Mapholaneng, other cases have been confirmed in areas that include Mots’eremeli, Lehlohla, Thabang and Tlhanyaku.
Meanwhile, the District Disaster Manager Mr. Phano Ntene said since FMD has been declared a national disaster, there is need for joint efforts to address it with the affected Ministry taking the lead.
Mr. Ntene therefore urged all members of the team to be supportive and ensure that the response plan, when in place, is successfully implemented in the district.
FMD is described as a highly contagious viral, air-borne disease of livestock that has a significant economic impact and affects cattle, pigs, sheep and goats.
Cattle are more reared susceptible to the disease which 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.
End/LU/tl
