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

Notices

Control Measures relating to Outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease

Part A: Immediate Measures on FMD Suspect and Confirmed Locations

6. Confirmation of Diagnosis

 

6.1 For the purposes of reporting to the WOAH, infection with FMDV is confirmed when:
(a) FMDV has been isolated from a sample from a susceptible animal, or
(b) viral antigen or RNA specific to FMDV has been identified in a sample from a susceptible animal, showing clinical signs consistent with FMD, or epidemiologically linked to a suspected or confirmed outbreak of FMD, or giving cause for suspicion of previous association or contact with FMDV, or
(c) antibodies to structural or non-structural proteins of FMDV, that are not a consequence of vaccination, have been detected in a sample from a susceptible animal, showing clinical signs consistent with FMD, or epidemiologically linked to a suspected or confirmed outbreak of FMD, or giving cause for suspicion of previous association or contact with FMDV.

 

6.2 On confirmation of the diagnosis, the State Veterinarian must perform the following functions:
(a) submit an updated SR1 to the National office [email protected];
(b) inform the owner of the affected property and issue an updated written quarantine notice (if applicable); and
(c) Instruct the responsible person of the affected property to notify his neighbours.

 

6.3 The state veterinarian will request and gather all relevant information to identify all possible in-contact animals including those that may be present on other land (epidemiologically linked premises) and must without delay inform the state veterinarian(s) responsible for the area(s) where the other possible in-contact animals may reside, to initiate arrangements to visit the identified premises for epidemiological investigation, clinical inspection and sample collection.

 

6.4 DoA Animal Health will report the outbreak to the WOAH and prepare regular reports to inform the Minister, Provincial Veterinary Services, stakeholders and trade partners.