Second foot-and-mouth outbreak sees Lowveld quarantined

A ban has been imposed on moving cattle, sheep or other split-hoofed animals out of the Lowveld area without a specific permit after a second outbreak of the dreaded foot-and-mouth disease was reported near Komatipoort in Mpumalanga. The first outbreak was in early September and has since spread within the local area, triggering roadblocks and other control measures. Foot-and-mouth holds no danger to humans, but spreads easily and can decimate herds in a matter of weeks. It is often spread by livestock owners who smuggle animals out of quarantined areas while they are still asymptomatic.

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