Following an outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease in Limpopo‚ the Agriculture Department announced on Thursday that a comprehensive response to the outbreak has been instituted.

In a statement released on Thursday‚ the Department of Agriculture‚ Forestry and Fisheries said Minister Senzeni Zokwana had visited Matiani village‚ the affected area‚ and met with farmers to discuss the issue.

The ministry announced on Monday (14 December) that Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) had been confirmed in Matiani village in the Vhembe district of Limpopo Province.

On Thursday the ministry said campaigns in local languages had been implemented to educate people about the disease and the importance of adhering to increased control measures.

State veterinary services would also be used to vaccinate cattle‚ including in five villages neighbouring Matiani‚ by 20 December (Sunday).

The department said a total of 14 cattle showed signs of the disease‚ and that 1200 cattle were at risk‚ but the disease had so far affected only one dipping tank in Matiani. A total of 6070 cattle will be vaccinated.

The department said: “A Command Centre for the FMD response operation will be set up at Madzivhandila Agricultural College. The Veterinary Operations Committee (VOC) consisting of veterinary officials leading various activities (surveillance‚ vaccinations‚ social facilitations‚ etc.) of the campaign will meet at the Command Centre‚ on daily basis to deliberate on the operational and progress status.”