Cattle Foot and Mouth disease: Authorities struggling to contain the spread

The Minister of Agro-Industry made a statement at the National Assembly on Wednesday 17 August to keep all those concerned informed of developments regarding the evolution of the Foot and Mouth Disease in Mauritius and Rodrigues.

With regards to Mauritius, Mahen Seeruttun said his Ministry is taking all measures to ensure that the disease is contained within the regions of Vallée des Pretres and Cité La Cure. So far, 156 infected animals have been culled in these regions. 102 other cases in 16 farms in the same localities have been detected and these animals are presently being culled.

Some suspected cases have recently been reported at Highlands and Notre Dame. After investigation, it has been confirmed that three animals have contracted the Foot and Mouth disease. It has accordingly been decided to cull the three animals as well as 39 other animals which were in contact with them. Since the outbreak of the FMD, 644 animals have been culled as at 16 August in Mauritius.

With regard to analysis of specimens of sera and epithelial tissue taken from sick animals in Mauritius by two reference laboratories, namely the Ondersterpoort Veterinary Institute of South Africa and ANSES laboratory of France, different results have been obtained regarding the stereotype of the virus.

In view of this situation, the vaccines initially imported from Botswana based on results first obtained from the South African Laboratory have been found to be not suitable and the vaccination programme scheduled to start on Saturday 13 August has been postponed.

The Minister had a meeting on Sunday 14 August with the Veterinary staff of my Ministry and the FAREI in the presence of two experts, namely Dr Harena, Veterinary Epidemiologist attached to the Indian Ocean Commission and Dr Mokganedi, epidemiologist from Botswana Vaccine Institute to take stock of the situation. 

At that meeting, it was agreed that the results from the French Laboratory would be accepted subject to a test from a third party, namely the Botswana Vaccine Institute being carried out on fresh samples from Rodrigues to reconfirm the results from the laboratory in France.

It was further decided that appropriate vaccines would be imported from Botswana for use in both Mauritius and Rodrigues. An order for 30,000 doses of vaccine, which is the minimum quantity normally supplied by Botswana Vaccine Institute, will be placed and is expected to reach Mauritius during the week-end. 15,000 out of the 30,000 doses will be sent to Rodrigues. The Botswana Veterinary Institute has, in principle, agreed to take back the first consignment of the non-utilised vaccines.

“My Ministry has already worked out the quantum of compensation payable to local importers and breeders of animals which have been culled. Arrangements will be made shortly for the payment of the compensation. I proceeded to Rodrigues on 12 August 2016 to take stock of the situation in the island,” said Mahen Seeruttun.

On 13 August 2016, he had a working session with the crisis committee set up under the aegis of the Rodrigues Regional Assembly. The whole island of Rodrigues has been affected by the FMD and declared as a quarantine zone, except the following regions:

(i) Delo Vert, which constitutes on its own around 40% of the local livestock population;

(ii) the Livestock Production Units of St. Gabriel;

(iii) Baie Topaze; and 

(iv) Ile aux Crabes.

The following measures have been taken by the Rodrigues Regional Assembly:

• Sensitisation on biosecurity measures at farm level through the Veterinary Services and extension services via farmers’ meetings, radio and TV broadcasts;
• Restriction of movement of animals, vehicles and people through road blocks, amongst others, and restriction of public gatherings;
• Placement of foot dip at the airport and other public areas where there are constant movements of people;
• Protection of uninfected regions and increased surveillance to protect these regions by the Commission for Agriculture, Forestry Department and Police Services and the community of breeders themselves among others; 
• Placement of protective fencing around the uninfected regions.

At the same meeting the Minister proposed to the Crisis Committee that arrangements be made for Dr Mokganedi to visit Rodrigues to take samples from infected animals for analysis at the Botswana Vaccine Institute.

Dr Mokganedi proceeded to Rodrigues on Sunday afternoon and the samples taken have been dispatched to Botswana on 16 August. The test results are expected by Friday following which on confirmation of the results obtained from the laboratory in France, the batch of 30,000 doses of vaccines will be delivered by this Sunday. 

According to latest information, 1903 animals have been culled in Rodrigues as at 16 August.