Foot and Mouth outbreak in Zimbabwe a serious threat to South Africa

Ardfern via Wikimedia Commons

It is common cause that foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious animal disease. It will have disastrous consequences for our agriculture, which is already battered by severe drought if the disease crosses over. Farmers will sustain crippling losses and Limpopo in particular will experience large-scale socio-economic consequences. South Africa could suffer millions if not billions of rands in losses.

Swift, thorough and extensive action is called for. Government departments and agricultural organisations must work together with farmers to engage in a programme of planning, preparing and protecting animals. Prevention is certainly better than any cure.

The early involvement of the World Animal Health Organisation is an absolute necessity. The Minister must immediately inform the public whether South Africa is ready and has all bases fully covered. The police and the army must tighten border control.

Veterinarians must be engaged right away and medicines must be stockpiled. Let South Africa not be caught on the wrong foot.