Agriculture
(a) How many cases of African horse sickness have been identified in the Western Cape since May 2022, (b) what are the contingency plans that his Department has in place to assist farmers and horse breeders in light of the recent cases of the sickness, (c) what support has the national government given to the Western Cape to deal with the issue of African horse sickness and (d) how effective have road signs aimed at limiting the spread of the sickness been in the past?
[a] No further cases have been reported in the Western Cape since May 2022. The May case, from Beaufort West was the only horse reported to have been infected in the Western Cape in 2022. The affected horse was unfortunately unvaccinated and died as a result. The horse should have been vaccinated, as it is a legal requirement according to the Animal Diseases Act 35 of 1984 that all horses in the AHS Infected zone of South Africa be vaccinated annually.
[b] The recent warning about horse movement restrictions is part of a sophisticated disease surveillance and movement control system for AHS in South Africa that allows horse owners to be informed of recent cases and take preventative measures, and so that horses can continue to be exported. Advice on AHS prevention through avoiding movements from infected areas, applying vaccinations and insect repellents and stabling horses are freely available. There is an excellent vaccine made by Onderstepoort Biological Products which will protect the majority of horses from AHS. Horse owners are advised to stable horses from 2 hours before sunset until 2 hours after sunrise where possible, remove horses from low lying areas such as vlei areas and rivers from December to June, and ensure that they are vaccinated annually from a young age.
[c] The WC Veterinary Services collaborates with the National Government to prevent AHS from entering the Western Cape AHS Control Area from the rest of the country, which is endemic for the disease. Together we have compiled a control policy [Veterinary Procedural Notice] for AHS and DALRRD assists with auditing these control measures to ensure that they are correctly implemented throughout South Africa. They also assist with payment for testing of samples for AHS and communicate with Onderstepoort Biological products to ensure there is sufficient vaccine annually.
[d] Road signs alerting travellers that they are entering AHS Control Area have been erected on the major routes entering Western Cape Province. They assist with constant raising of awareness about AHS. Since we have had the road signs in place we have only had one case of AHS in the Protection Zone caused by a possible illegal movement of an infected horse, but this was not confirmed to have caused the outbreak.
