State Veterinarian Dr John Grewar brings us up to speed on the African Horse Sickness situation in the Western Cape as at 23 May 2014.
AHS Containment Zone as at 23 May 2014
There are a total of 28 affected properties as a result of the African horse sickness outbreak in 2014 in the Porterville and Wellington region (including Tulbagh and Piketberg) of the Western Cape. The outbreak has extended to the Tulbagh (1 property) and Piketberg areas (1 property). In total 74 confirmed cases have been identified with 11 confirmed deaths as a result of the disease.
The containment zone has been extended now to include the Tulbagh and Piketberg cases. The entire Tulbagh district has been included while a 10 km zone around the Piketberg case has been designated part of the now 3rd Containment zone for this area – see the attached map.
We remind owners that vaccination against AHS in the AHS surveillance zone is only to be performed after the required permissions from State Vet Boland (021 808 5253) has been obtained.
Information regarding the movement of horses can be obtained from the relevant area’s State veterinarian.
The last confirmed cases were identified in late April/early May but we continue to follow up on suspect cases. Apologies for any confusion: the general period of time between last case and lifting of any movement ban is 40 days for such an outbreak (not 42 as per the previous communication). This period is however dependent on the weather (linked to midge activity) and on the number of suspect cases that need following up on in the interim.
There are five other areas within the Province where AHS cases have also occurred this season: Robertson, Leeu Gamka, Murraysburg, Beaufort West and Uniondale. The Robertson outbreak is still active. No further cases have been reported from the other 4 regions in the AHS infected zone.
An update on the Robertson outbreak will be issued later this week.
Any queries can be directed to:-
State Veterinarian Malmesbury – Dr S Davey: 022 482 1380 / 083 642 0603
State Veterinarian Boland – Dr G Buhrmann: 021 808 5253 / 083 642 0602
State Veterinarian Epidemiology – Dr J Grewar: 021 808 5056 / 083 642 0610
(source: Elsenburg)
