KZN ANIMAL HEALTH FORUM Allerton Library

Transcription

1 KZN ANIMAL HEALTH FORUM Allerton Library Minutes of the meeting that was held on the 4 November ) Welcome The Chairman welcomed everybody to the meeting. 2) Apologies Dr D Mtshali KZN DARD Ms H Els MUT Mr C Carter KZN RPO Ms S La Marque KWANALU Present Dr K Perrett Chairman Mr K le Roux KZN DARD Dr A Shepherd KZN RPO Mr B Louw NWGA Mr G Carr KZN MPO Dr T Oglesby RuVASA/KZN RPO Dr T Dugmore KZN DARD Mr B Gibbs KZN PPO Dr I Mackellar KZN DARD Mr F du Toit KZN DARD Dr A Still KZN DARD (SV PMB) Mrs J Mann Scribe 3) Minutes The minutes of the meeting that was held on the 5 August 2016 were accepted. Proposed by Dr Ariena Shepherd and seconded by Dr Trish Oglesby. 4) Matters arising None. 5) Additions to the Agenda One matter: 15) Livestock Handler publication by Afrivet 6) Rabies report back Real-time reporting (daily if necessary) of rabies cases in KZN is done by sms and (maps - an example to follow on the next page) to Animal Health Technicians, KZN DARD Managers, Human Health officials and anybody who requests to be on the correspondence list. A view point, held by Kevin le Roux, is that there is a natural progression in disease control. It starts with increased awareness (e.g. real-time reporting of rabies cases) which spurs on increased surveillance, coupled with an increase in vaccine availability results in greater vaccinations which over time results in the disease dying out. This is a possibility for rabies (and any other disease). [The real-time reporting of rabies incidents has created a huge awareness! The same procedure could be used to create an awareness of other diseases.] Results from OVI rabies cases are also sent to Epidemiology. From there they are distributed to other provincial Rabies Advisory Group (RAG) representatives. 1

2 An increase in the number of rabies samples submitted to Allerton has been observed (samples come from as far afield as Eastern Cape and OFS). Canine rabies cases are unfortunately gaining momentum in KZN and Eastern Cape. A map (generated on 2 November 2016) of incidents follows: The blue circle with the most dots in it (ILembe and UThungulu) is a problem area with poor dog vaccination over the past years. This area has had no State Veterinarian for a while. Fortunately, the ILembe post has been filled 2 days ago! In addition, this area has the least number of staff and vehicles not to mention the budget constraints during the current financial year for KZN DARD, which has culminated in limited dog vaccinations. Furthermore, it has vast communal areas. A funding proposal for the Rabies Project was submitted to DAFF in November unsuccessful, it has been submitted again for the next financial year. Although The last human case of rabies was in January 2015, which makes it one month away from being a clear year! To date, for 2016, there have been 60 canine rabies cases The outbreak of rabies in UGu (southern KZN) has been stopped. 2

3 The jackal rabies cycle (red circles on map) is also in decline in the KZN Midlands and Underberg/Kwa Sani area. The most recent case was in Hilton. The view that it is a self-limiting disease with the jackal population is still maintained. The other upper blue circle on the map is Zululand. Another critical area where increased dog vaccinations are required. The Rabies Project continues to be effective beyond South African borders, with a representative attending a meeting in Cameroon last week. An application to National Treasury for Allerton to host a National Rabies Vaccine Bank for South Africa (centrally located for rapid dispatch) has been submitted to National. 7) Brucellosis status and way forward National selected 1 October 2016 to determine a benchmark for the current status of Brucellosis in RSA. All provinces submitted their known cases (farms and diptanks) to National on that day to help establish a baseline for future action. Funding for a massive Brucellosis campaign has been submitted for approval to KZNDARD with R3.5 million to be made available from April A request was made by Dr Ariena Shepard that the dates of which area s (communal) RB51 vaccinations will be happening to be made know to veterinarians so that they can inform their clients. On 25 October 2016, Dr Keith Perrett and Kevin le Roux attended a Swartberg Farmer Association initiative meeting on Brucellosis. Following a Brucellosis case in the area, concerned farmers had got caught up in a culling and blaming cycle. The ignorance of the mode of action of how Brucellosis spreads and possibly the avoidance of vaccination due to cost was extremely worrying. This led to the writing of a draft pamphlet (to follow on the next page) on the basics of Brucellosis (appropriate for farmer level with minimal reading) by Kevin le Roux. To be distributed electronically. Each ¼ page to be printed on an A4 page. Colour and more pictures to be added. The most important take home message being that a farmer is responsible for the Brucellosis free status on his farm. Regardless of historic vaccine shortages or reckless neighbours who choose not to vaccinate, it is in the farmers best interests to adhere to a Brucellosis vaccination regime and to only buy in stock that are certified Brucellosis free. 3

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5 A list of contact details for State Veterinarians to be included with Brucellosis handout for farmers to contact. 8) Information distribution - Rabies/Controlled Diseases/Distribution Paths As mentioned under Rabies section (Point 6):...a view point, held by Kevin le Roux, is that there is a natural progression in disease control. It starts with increased awareness (e.g.: real-time reporting of rabies cases) which spurs on increased surveillance, coupled with an increase in vaccine availability results in greater vaccinations which over time results in the disease dying out. This is a possibility for rabies (and any other disease). The real-time reporting of rabies incidents has created a huge awareness! The same procedure could be used to create an awareness of other diseases. 9) Salmonella gallinarium Pietermaritzburg State Veterinarian, Dr Allen Still, diagnosed a case of Fowl Typhoid in the Dargle during June Subsequently he has had a challenging time of trying to distinguish between a field strain of infection and false positives from a vaccine strain (the live attenuated vaccine can cause false positives 2 to 3 weeks post vaccination). 10) KZN Wildlife Ranching On 27 October 2016, Dr Keith Perrett attended the KZN Wildlife Ranching AGM at Kwaggashoek to present an overview of the disease situation in KZN with implications for wildlife. The biggest threat to wildlife ranchers is the illegal (untested for TB and CA) movement of buffalo s. Dr Perrett emphasized the testing of wildlife before moving. 5

6 Seriously good news for KZN AHF is that a wildlife ranching representative is to attend our future meetings! Another point of interest raised at the meeting was that KZN Wildlife Rancheing Association are exploring the re-introduction of insurance cover in order to pay out beef cattle owners whose cattle die of Corridor disease. The challenge is the confident diagnosis of Corridor disease being the cause of death. 11) Antimicrobial Resistance - International, National and Provincial Initiative In KZN, Rainbow and Mountain Valley chicken farms have agreed to partake in a study testing for antimicrobial residues from farm to fork (including feed, birds, abattoir samples and shop products). This initiative is driven ultimately by WHO but is being implemented at provincial level. 12) OHAG - Zoonoses prioritizing No progress to report on. 13) Current disease surveillance in RSA PPR - ongoing CBPP - trying to get off the ground! FMD - As of 31 October 2016 the Contractors should have finished the redline fence! Status of international fence is unknown. AI - done every 6 months, ongoing BSE - monitoring not viable in SA. 14) Census figures - commercial cattle/sheep/pigs Commercial figures are required by the Chairman for planning purposes of possible future disease outbreaks and the vaccine requirement. Contributions are still outstanding! The 2 nd Vice Chair of RPO, Dr Pieter Prinsloo, made a statement at recent Aldam Stockman School (October 2016) that he will be making the census figures a priority of his. 15) Livestock Handler publication by Afrivet Feedback was requested by Bom Louw as to the usefulness and relevance of the Livestock Handler publications by Afrivet for use in his training courses. Positive comments were made. 16) Items to be raised at National AHF a) The approval of R3.5 million by KZNDARD for the Brucellosis Campaign b) A Pilot Antimicrobial Resistance study in the chicken industry in Umgungundlovu DC is in the advance planning stage - samples will be collected and analysed from farm to fork c) A wildlife representative to attend KZN AHF 17) Date of next meeting Dates for 2017 to be dependent on National AHF meeting dates. To be circulated when known. 18) Closure Meeting was closed at 11:38. 6