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Following the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in South Africa, the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), has reacted by placing its officers on red alert to avoid its spread into the country.

The agency in a statement implored its officers at all ports of entry to watch out for live cloven-hooved animals and associated raw products that may be imported from South Africa and contiguous countries.

It said: “They are on high alert to minimise the risk of the entry of infected animals, or contaminated items of animal origin from the Southern Africa axis. They are under instruction to quarantine any animal that could reasonably be deemed to be a suspect carrier.”

The statement explained that Foot and Mouth disease is an infectious and sometimes fatal viral disease that affects sheep, goat, pig, cattle and other bovid.

The statement issued by the head media of the agency, Dr Chigozie Nwodo, read:

“The Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) wishes to inform the general public of the confirmed outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Vhembe and Capricorn Districts in Limpopo, South Africa.

“Following this incidence, officers of the NAQS at all ports of entry are on the lookout for live cloven-hoofed animals and associated raw products that may be imported from South Africa and contiguous countries.

“They are on high alert to minimize the risk of the entry of infected animals or contaminated items of animal origin from the Southern Africa axis. They are under instruction to quarantine any animal that could reasonably be deemed to be a suspect carrier.

“The Foot and mouth disease is an infectious and sometimes fatal viral disease that affects sheep, goat, pig, cattle and other bovids.

“The clinical symptoms of the disease are high fever which may last between two and six days; blisters inside the mouth which may lead to excessive secretion of stringy and foamy saliva and to drooling; and blisters on the feet which may eventually rupture and cripple the animal.

“FMD takes a huge economic toll on animal farming. Because it is highly infectious, the disease can devastate herds and cause serious losses to livestock farmers. It can spread by infected animals through contaminated feed, farming equipment, vehicles and wild and domesticated predators.

“The general public is therefore advised to report any case related to the above symptoms to the quarantine post in their locality or the agriculture department in their local government council.”