Partial Lifting of Movement Restrictions: Blue Ear Disease Progress Report | Western Cape Government

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Partial Lifting of Movement Restrictions: Blue Ear Disease Progress Report

3 November 2004
Press Release by the Acting Minister of Agriculture, Minister Pierré Uys

 

The Acting Minister of Agriculture of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture Mr. Pierre Uys has announced that the control of the outbreak of Blue Ear Disease in pigs in the Philippi, Jacobsdal, Kuilsriver and Atlantis areas has progressed very well. Following the confirmation and determination of the extent of the outbreak in June, the Directorate of Veterinary Services of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture has embarked upon an extensive eradication campaign in an attempt to contain and eliminate the disease within the Province before it could spread to the rest of South Africa. This involved a complete movement ban and then a buying-up of all pigs on serologically positive farms in order to prevent further dissemination of the disease. To date 43 properties have been cleared of some 2700 pigs which were bought by the State at a cost of approximately R2.9 million, for slaughter at local abattoirs. Furthermore, a total of 1700 movement permits were issued in order to maintain control over pig movements during the 4 ½ month period of the eradication process.

This process is now complete and the minimum prerequisite disease-free waiting period of at least 6 weeks is now passed. All previously infected holdings have been disinfected and inspected by Veterinary Services personnel and due to the relatively warm weather a decision has been made to allow the return of pigs to the cleared properties on application for permission from the State Veterinarian at the Boland Office. The only exceptions are Vredenburg/Hopefield, where positive cases with Blue Ear Disease were diagnosed. The pigs were removed on 26th October. Also still subject to movement restrictions is the Worcester Magisterial District where there is an ongoing serological survey in progress as the result of numerous suspicious deaths of pigs in the area. As yet a definitive diagnosis has not been made but tests thusfatr were negative for Blue-ear disease. The investigation will continue until the exact cause of the deaths can be ascertained. This has thus prolonged the lifting of restrictions in these three areas.

Pigs may be sold at auctions again but no pigs from the auction in Worcester will be allowed into the Cape Metropole or other blue-ear disease free areas until the survey is concluded. Other movements from this area will only be allowed if directly to an abattoir and then by means of a movement permit only. The Vredenburg/Hopefield area will remain under a compulsory minimum of a six week "pig-free" time and no movements will be allowed except directly to an abattoir with a red cross permit. Where permission is granted by the local State Veterinarian to allow pigs back onto a previously infected farm in the areas other than those mentioned above, these farms will be regularly inspected and serological follow-up surveys done by Veterinary Services to ensure that they remain free of Blue-ear disease and to ascertain that the eradication of the disease has been successful.

The Director of Veterinary Services of the Department of Agriculture, Dr. Gideon Brückner said that since the origin of the Blue-ear disease appears to indicate that it was introduced by the feeding of swill to pigs he would strongly discourage this form of pig-rearing. Farmers should use their initiative and take this opportunity to restart correctly and seek assistance from his Department or other professional consultants or the South African Pork Producers Association who can provide the necessary knowledge and advice on how to produce healthy pigs successfully.

The Minister expressed his gratitude towards the farmers for their cooperation with the containment of the disease, their compliance with the movement restrictions and patience before re-introducing new stock. He also conveyed his gratitude to the Traffic Police for their assistance with monitoring movements during the ban, the South African Pig Producers Organization for their assistance to the Department in helping with the serological survey and supplying test kits initially and to Veterinary Services for the determined effort they made in to attempt to eliminate Blue-ear disease from our shores. We trust they have been successful but only time will tell and we wish all pig farmers success as they begin their new endeavors again , he said.

Dr Gideon Brückner
Director Veterinary Services
Cell: 083 641 5163

Dr Gary Buhrmann
Chief State Veterinarian
Cell: 083 642 0602

Alie van Jaarsveld
Ministry of Agriculture
Spokesperson
Tel: 021 483 4930
Fax: 021 483 3890
Cell: 084 604 6708