A single horse on a property in the Cederberg Local Municipality is at the centre of a health alert after the Department of Agriculture confirmed a case of African horse sickness in the Western Cape.
African horse sickness is a serious viral disease spread by midges, and it does not affect humans, but it can be devastating for horses and the equestrian communities that depend on them. The confirmation has prompted authorities to move quickly, putting movement restrictions in place and stepping up surveillance in the area to stop the disease from spreading further.
For horse owners and farmers in the Western Cape, this is a timely reminder to stay close to updates from the Department of Agriculture and to work with their vets on prevention and monitoring. The situation in Cederberg is being watched carefully, and how it unfolds in the coming days will matter for the wider region.
Originally published by AllAfrica.