Kamanjab-based veterinarian Martin Katumbe is urging livestock owners to isolate animals suspected of having foot-and-mouth disease and immediately contact their nearest veterinarian.
He describes foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) as a viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, kudu, oryx and eland.
Infected animals develop blisters inside the mouth, which may burst after one or two days, leaving painful ulcers on the tongue, gums or lips, he says.
The pain causes excessive salivation and makes eating difficult, leading to weight loss.
Similar sores develop in the hooves, causing animals to limp or become reluctant to walk.
Katumbe says livestock owners should place suspected cases in a separate camp with their own water and feed to prevent close contact with other animals.
Owners should also clean themselves, their clothes and shoes before handling healthy animals or feed, he says.
A veterinarian would provide further guidance.
To reduce the risk of infection, Katumbe advises farmers to maintain closed herds, avoid moving animals between farms and keep fences in good condition to prevent contact with neighbouring animals or those of unknown origin.
He recommends disinfecting footwear and vehicle tyres whenever entering farms, mentioning washing soda as a disinfectant.
Katumbe says the main signs to watch for are mouth ulcers, excessive salivation, sores between the hooves and limping.
