/ 11 May 2011

Foot-and-mouth viruses in KwaZulu-Natal ‘isolated’

The viruses involved in the foot-and-mouth outbreak in KwaZulu-Natal have been isolated, according to the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

In a statement on Wednesday, the department thanked the ARC Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute for its assistance in the matter.

“The virus was isolated from samples collected from one dip tank in KwaZulu-Natal and the feedlot in Gauteng, and has been typed as a SAT 1, related to the foot-and-mouth virus out of the northern part of the Kruger National Park.

“The virus is also related to a virus isolated from the Pafuri area in 2003.”

The department added that this had put to rest speculation on the origin of the infection.

It said that the infection had not originated in a neighbouring country.

“The virus that has been isolated from the buffalo in the Ndumo Game Reserve has been typed as a SAT 3 and is related to a virus found near Letaba in the Kruger National Park in 2003.”

The disease was under control and a second round of vaccinations was under way, according to the department.

“Over 93 000 cattle have been vaccinated. These animals have been identified and will be monitored,” the department concluded. — I-Net Bridge