SA's biggest beef producer hit by foot-and-mouth disease
HIEDELBERG, GAUTENG - A case of Foot and Mouth Disease has been confirmed at the Karan Beef facility in Heidelberg.
As a precautionary measure, the facility was placed under pre-emptive quarantine last Friday. Outbreaks have spread to three provinces after the disease was reported on an Mpumalanga farm last month.
In March, an urgent vaccination campaign was launched in northern KwaZulu-Natal to curb this disease. Amajuba District confirmed an outbreak after positive cases were detected in Newcastle.
China has suspended its South African beef imports sparking worry about the impact on farmers and their livelihoods.
Senior Feedlot Veterinarian at Karan Beef, DR. Dirk Verwoerd said over 2000 of their cattle are showing signs of being infected. He says no slaughtering or movement of cattle will take place until they have dealt with the case.
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The Citizen
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