Cape Town - A game farm outside Beaufort West has been under quarantine for the past few months following a suspected outbreak of Brucella melitensis - known as Malta fever - in the Karoo.
The outbreak was detected after a farmer’s wife fell ill earlier this year, having contracted the disease through an infected goat.
She was treated after displaying symptoms associated with the disease and has since been discharged from hospital.
Brucella melitensis is most commonly spread from an infected animal to humans though the consumption of unpasteurised milk or cheese or through direct contact.
It is one of the most serious diseases among livestock. Infection in animals carries considerable economic damage. The disease causes decreased milk production, weight loss, loss of young, infertility, and lameness.
People infected with Brucella could display symptoms of fever, night sweats, severe headaches and body aches. If left untreated, brucellosis is fatal in five percent of cases.
By late on Monday, authorities in Beaufort West appeared to have been kept in the dark about the outbreak, with only a few in the agricultural fraternity in the province being made aware thereof.
Even the Beaufort West municipality was unaware of the case.
Mayor Truman Prince said he instructed officials to get more information on the outbreak.
“It is very worrisome that such a serious matter that could affect the whole region had been kept secret from the local municipal authorities. I hope indeed that this is not the truth and was not done intentionally,” Prince added.
Agri Western Cape said the matter was brought to their attention.
“We are currently trying to get confirmation and information via the right channels,” Agri Western Cape’s Jeanne Boshoff said.
Western Cape MEC for Economic Opportunities and Agriculture, Alan Winde, said he heard on Sunday that a case of Brucella was being investigated on a Karoo farm.
“The relevant area has already been quarantined and veterinary services are working with the farm owner on the implementation of control measures relevant to this animal disease to ensure it is contained,” he said.
Winde said the state veterinarians had advised him they were busy with a second round of testing on the infected goats and were awaiting the results.
He added that once the vets quarantine the farm they usually euthanise the affected animals.
“No animals are allowed off the farm. I’ve been advised that the goats on neighbouring farms have also already been tested and came back negative for the disease.
“I understand checks were also conducted as far as in Oudtshoorn but they haven’t found any other cases.”
According to Winde, state vets informed him that there would be no economic impact, as the disease had not been picked up anywhere else.
“I have asked for a full update on the details of the case,” Winde said.
The MEC assured the public that his office would continue to communicate progress in the containment of the disease.
“The Western Cape government has a highly professional veterinary services unit which receives substantial investment each year from the Western Cape department of Agriculture to protect against and quickly deal with animal diseases as they arise.”
The farm owners did not respond to e-mailed media inquiries.
Cape Argus