An outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in cattle has been reported in Limpopo.

The department of Agriculture‚ Forestry and Fisheries said on Monday the outbreak had been confirmed by laboratory tests on December 10 and identified as a SAT 3 strain of the FMD virus.

“The outbreak occurred in the Matiane community‚ in the Thulamela local municipality of the Vhembe District which is within the FMD protection zone of South Africa‚ where vaccination for FMD is routinely conducted‚” the department said.

 It added that the affected area was very close to the Greater Kruger National Park Complex where FMD-infected buffaloes were a constant source of infection.

“The current drought situation has increased possible contact between cattle and buffaloes due to limited grazing and water sources‚” the department said.

It said the Limpopo Provincial Veterinary Services had intensified surveillance in the area and was also applying control measures such as quarantine of affected cattle and movement control of cloven-hoofed animals in the surrounding areas. Vaccination of the surrounding areas in response to the outbreak would also be instituted‚ the department added.

“The outbreak occurred within South Africa’s FMD protection zone‚ and therefore has no effect on South Africa’s FMD free zone status and should not have any effect on South Africa’s export activities‚” it stated.