Cederberg:The Department of Agriculture has confirmed a case of African horse sickness (AHS) in a single horse on a property in the Cederberg Local Municipality in the Western Cape. This has led to the imposition of movement restrictions and intensified surveillance efforts to control the disease.
According to South African Government News Agency, laboratory tests conducted by the University of Pretoria's Veterinary Genetics Laboratory identified the presence of AHS virus serotype 7 on the affected property, which lies within South Africa's established AHS Protection Zone. Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp noted that the case was detected through the country's veterinary surveillance systems, allowing for a swift response and the implementation of containment measures.
The swift detection has been attributed to South Africa's effective veterinary surveillance system, which enabled authorities to promptly reach the affected area and enforce necessary stringent actions as outlined in the Animal Diseases Act. An outbreak containment area has been established, and strict movement controls have been put in place in accordance with the Animal Diseases Act, 1984 (Act 35 of 1984), and the Western Cape Department of Agriculture's AHS contingency plan.
Currently, horse movements within the controlled area require a permit issued by the State Veterinarian Boland. However, no permits will be issued for moving horses out of the affected area during ongoing investigations and surveillance. Intensive surveillance, tracing, and census activities have been initiated by Veterinary Services, in cooperation with authorized veterinarians and industry partners, to assess the outbreak and detect any additional cases.
Equine owners in the controlled area have been urged to cooperate with Veterinary Services and report any animals displaying symptoms consistent with AHS. These symptoms include unexplained fever, swelling of the head or neck, breathing difficulties, or sudden death. To prevent the spread of the disease, horse owners are advised to take precautions against Culicoides midges, the disease vectors, by stabling horses during peak midge activity times, avoiding low-lying and wet areas, and using registered insect repellents and insecticides.
The department has advised against AHS vaccination at this time due to the risk of the live-attenuated vaccine strain being spread by midges. While there is no evidence of large-scale disease activity beyond the affected property, the department is maintaining total vigilance and advises horse owners to refrain from vaccinating against AHS during this period. Veterinary Services will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as new information becomes available.
Additionally, international trade partners will be informed about the outbreak, with further details regarding its implications for international trade to follow.