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Subsequent to Minister’s meeting with industry, the Technical Task team met on Wed 16th January 2019 and shared information and advice.

The Technical Task Team, after agreeing on the terms of reference, agreed on the following:

·        To limit the area being vaccinated to make the long term management of the disease easier provided this does not compromise the disease control efforts.

·        To increase police visibility.

·        To provide feed for the affected villages in order to limit the movements and interactions of animals at grazing sites.

Two sets of teams have started work in the area, the vaccination teams (17 teams) working in the possibly infected areas conducting inspections and vaccinations; and the inspection teams (4) working in the ‘clean’ area to determine the extent of the outbreak.  4 021 animals in 9 villages have been vaccinated so far.

To date, the disease has been confirmed in 2 villages.  Following reports of clinical signs, 3 more villages are being followed up, samples have been submitted to the laboratory and the results are expected early next week.

Limpopo Department of Agriculture has provided feed to the affected animal owners. Letters have been sent to 20 of our trade partners and trade of especially processed products is starting to flow.

DAFF wishes to reiterate the movement restriction in the disease management area in Vhembe.  No live cloven hooved animals are allowed to move into, within, through and out of the area.

Full Statement Attached

Issued by The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries