Foot and Mouth Disease Devastates KZN Dairy Farms

Key Takeaways:

• The dairy sector in KwaZulu-Natal is facing a critical foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak that threatens national food security, rural livelihoods, and the stability of the dairy value chain.
• The province is home to approximately 220,000 dairy animals, and the outbreak has already infected thousands of cattle, with severe symptoms and significant financial losses reported.
• Farmers and veterinarians are calling for urgent intervention, including the provision of vaccines and improved biosecurity measures, to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread.
• The current vaccine shortage and reactive, crisis-by-crisis management approach are unsustainable and have led to delays in vaccination and treatment.
• The outbreak has had a significant impact on farmers, with one farmer reporting a loss of R1.5 million per month in milk production, and others facing closure.

Introduction to the Crisis
The dairy sector in KwaZulu-Natal is facing a critical foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak that threatens national food security, rural livelihoods, and the stability of the dairy value chain. The province is home to approximately 220,000 dairy animals, and the outbreak has already infected thousands of cattle, with severe symptoms and significant financial losses reported. The Milk Producers’ Organisation has released a statement describing the situation as an escalating FMD outbreak that requires urgent intervention.

The Human Impact
Dairy farmer Dave Moberly, from Creighton near uMzimkhulu, has been severely affected by the outbreak. Of his 1,200 cows, 800 were infected, with 500 showing severe symptoms. Moberly is upset because state procedures around access to the vaccine failed him, leading to a critical 10-day delay in securing vaccines for his herd. He had to secure a supply of Botswana vaccine from a feedlotter, which required state channels, including a sign-off in Pretoria and authorisation through the Allerton Provincial Veterinary Laboratory in Pietermaritzburg. The delay and subsequent outbreak on his farm should have been entirely preventable, Moberly said.

The Animal Health Crisis
The FMD outbreak has had a devastating impact on the health and well-being of dairy cattle in the region. Dr. Gareth Myles, a veterinarian from Howick Veterinary Clinic, emphasized that private practitioners’ "hands are tied" because the control of FMD is solely regulated by the government’s state veterinary services. Private vets are not authorized to be involved in the control of the disease. Dr. Savannah Stutchbury, from the same clinic, said the virus is "incredibly infectious" and can spread quickly through a herd. Myles said that the virus can spread rapidly, with 10 cases on day one, 100 cases on day two, and over 500 cases on day three.

Biosecurity Measures
Despite feeling vulnerable, farmers are employing basic biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of the disease. These measures include spraying vehicles with sanitizing chemicals, sanitizing footwear, limiting the movement of owners and workers, and performing regular checks on the herd. Disinfectant is used on roads and at entrances to farms around Ixopo in an attempt to stop the further spread of FMD. Farmers are also dipping their boots in disinfectant solutions before entering their dairy hubs.

Financial Impact
The FMD outbreak has had a significant financial impact on dairy farmers in the region. Moberly said it would take him a year to recover from the losses, but he was lucky that he could recover. Fellow farmers have said they face closure. The financial impact of the outbreak is significant, with Moberly reporting a loss of R1.5 million per month in milk production, excluding veterinary costs, which were an additional R500,000 per month. The outbreak has also led to significant costs for antibiotics, glycerine for the teats, and other expenses.

Call to Action
The dairy sector in KwaZulu-Natal is calling for urgent intervention to contain the FMD outbreak and prevent further spread. Farmers and veterinarians are calling for the provision of vaccines and improved biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of the disease. The current vaccine shortage and reactive, crisis-by-crisis management approach are unsustainable and have led to delays in vaccination and treatment. The government must take immediate action to address the crisis and prevent further losses to the dairy sector and the economy as a whole.