Acts Online
GT Shield

Animal Diseases Act, 1984 (Act No. 35 of 1984)

Notices

Control Measures relating to Outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease

Part B: Disease Control Measures on Infected Premises and Areas

11. Vaccination

 

11.1 Vaccination against FMD must comply with the conditions for the legal use of a vaccine in South Africa, in terms of Act 36 of 1947 and/or Act 101 of 1965 (SAHPRA) requirements.

 

11.2 FMD vaccination should be applied by the state veterinary services or its delegated / mandate representative on FMD-infected holdings and holdings suspected of being infected.

 

11.3 Vaccinated animals must have documented proof of adequate and up to date vaccination history.

 

11.4 FMD vaccination may be performed by state veterinary service on adjacent properties where deemed necessary to achieve a controlled purpose. Vaccination may be considered for holdings that were not confirmed positive for FMD, or suspect due to clinical signs, but where there is a high risk of infection. This can be due to the proximity of infected farms, the viral load in the area, apparent lack of biosecurity, frequency of movements in the area, congregation of large numbers of animals or other factors that are perceived to increase the risk of infection spreading to animals on the holding.

 

11.5 Private individuals and entities on adjacent properties may perform voluntary vaccination of their animals in accordance with all legal requirements.

 

11.6 Where vaccination is used, the maintenance of the cold chain must be strictly adhered to. A procedure to do this must be documented, with checks in place to ensure that it can be audited.

 

11.7 Biosecurity measures will need to be applied strictly by the owners of farms where vaccination is done. FMD vaccination does not exempt anybody from the legislated responsibility for biosecurity in terms of Section 11 of the Animal Diseases Act, and undue risk behaviour may be subject to prosecution.

 

11.8 Peri-urban cattle and communal cattle represent an open, continuously changing population with multiple owners. These cattle should be constantly surveyed in all provinces by State Veterinary personnel, preferably in conjunction with other support programs. Provincial Veterinary Directors can designate specific cattle populations for FMD vaccination in a regular, scheduled program based on the FMD epidemiology in that district or portion of the province. FMD vaccination should follow all standard regulatory requirements, such as an enrolment register for the specific population, unique individual identification, date, vaccine identification & lot no., and owner data.