Rise in animal diseases a global problem

• Published date: 06 May 2024
• Publication title: Mail & Guardian: Web Edition Articles (Johannesburg, South Africa)

South Africa has had cycles of foot-and-mouth disease in the cattle industry, multiple strains of avian influenza in poultry, and the African swine fever in the pig industry. All these episodes were costly to farming businesses and distracted South Africa from its export ambition. There is always a risk of another outbreak because some of these diseases have become pervasive

About a month ago, the United States department of agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state veterinary and public health officials released a report stating that they are studying an illness among dairy cows in various states.

This report came after the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (bird flu), which commonly affects poultry farms, was discovered in dairy cows and the subsequent infection of a dairy farm employee.

The virus has spread to more states over the past month. Recent reports suggest the virus has spread to 36 cattle herds across nine states (from six states at the beginning of April).

There remain concerns in the US about the transmission to humans and other livestock. The scientists are studying this outbreak and have called for calm among the consumers. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention views it as "a low risk to the general public at this time".

There are also ongoing discussions about ways of containing its spread and tests of possible vaccines in the US.

Encouragingly, outside the US, we don't know of any cases where bird flu has moved into livestock and people. South Africa's agriculture, land reform and rural development department is monitoring any outbreaks in this country.

But surveillance must be strengthened to ensure an agile response when there are outbreaks. As...