Quarantine can last two years or longer

Agricultural authorities have warned that farms in the George and Hartenbos areas of South Africa placed under quarantine for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) may face restrictions for two years or longer. Dr. Muller Strydom of the George Animal Hospital explained that quarantine protocols typically remain in place for at least a year after 'Day Zero'—the point at which no symptoms remain in the herd. The quarantine also extends to surrounding farms within a 10-kilometer radius. Currently, livestock that have shown symptoms must be slaughtered to prevent further spread, a process that can take up to a year. However, the introduction of the Turkish-made Dollvet vaccine may offer a solution, as it allows veterinarians to distinguish between natural infections and vaccine reactions, potentially easing export restrictions and removing the need for culling in some cases. Areas currently affected include the Outeniqualand district and regions near Hartenbos.