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From biosecurity to bioterrorism. A package from Kenya has been confiscated at the Polokwane airport. Authorities suspect that it contains illegal foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccines, as it was stored at below 9 °C, the temperature required to keep that vaccine stable.
Dewald Olivier, CEO of the Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS), confirmed this. “It has been confiscated and handed over to the authorities, and they will now decide how to handle the matter further.” It’s highly likely that the suspects will face terrorism charges.
This comes after an earlier warning from Dr Mark Chimes, manager of Milk SA’s Animal Health and Welfare Programme, who cautioned about allegations that certain individuals were rumoured to be importing vaccines manufactured by the Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute (KEVEVAPI).
“Importing this vaccine would be illegal, as it contains serotypes O and A of the FMD virus,” Olivier said, adding that RMIS alerted the Border Management Agency and the State Security Agency (SSA) to monitor for any medical imports from Kenya.”
A few days ago, officials were notified of two suspicious consignments – one in Polokwane and another in Pietermaritzburg. “The route appeared to be Kenya → Polokwane → Pietermaritzburg → Tanzania,” Olivier said. The consignment in Polokwane was intercepted at the airport. It was shipped under the name “Betanol.” Working with the National Department of Agriculture (NDA) and the Border Management Authority (BMA) the shipment was confiscated. “Upon inspection, it was confirmed to be a Kenyan vaccine, as it required storage below 9°C.”
The vaccine is now being transported under police escort to the TAD Laboratory for further testing. The SSA has taken over the matter and is investigating a potential terrorism case against the importer. “We will share more details as soon as they become available,” Olivier said.
No evidence has yet been found that illegal FMD vaccines has been used in South Africa.
Breaking rules at your peril
Prof Francois Maree, professor of medical virology at the Centre for Viral Zoonosis, Department of Medical Virology, University of Pretoria, said there is a good reason why FMD is a state-controlled disease. “FMD is one of the most contagious viral diseases of livestock, and the impact it has on the country’s entire economic system is incredible. That is why it needs to be handled on a national level, because it is in our national interest.”
Prof Maree added that legislative matters are also very clear that only the government is allowed to decide when, where, and how the disease will be handled, as the wrong approach could do more harm than good. “We are currently in a situation where we are seeing the industry working with the government to try and contain the outbreaks across the country, but ultimately the decision and responsibility remain with the government.”
Compromising farmers’ livelihoods
During Milk SA’s annual general meeting, which took place on Wednesday, Dr Chimes said apart from the fact that the Kenyan vaccine is illegal, it will most certainly not be effective. “FOTIVAX does not protect against all the strains of FMD that occur in South Africa.”
It is also not a Distinguishing Infected from Vaccinated Animals (Diva)-vaccine. Should animals test positive for FMD antibodies, a Diva vaccine makes it possible to distinguish whether it was caused by infection or vaccination. The A and O strains of FMD do not occur in South Africa.
“There is a real danger that animals that are vaccinated with the Kenyan vaccine will test positive for the A and O strains, and the laboratory will not be able to tell whether it is the result of the vaccine or an active infection,” Dr Chimes said. “Additionally, should a herd test positive for any A, O, or C strains, it can also act as proof that the herd was vaccinated illegally, and such a farmer may face prosecution. “If antibodies of a new strain of FMD should be detected in a herd in South Africa, rapid slaughter of the whole herd would be the method of choice to contain the spread before it takes hold.”
Compromising the national herd
Furthermore, between 2017 and 2019, several vaccine-like recombinant strains of Neethling-strain lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) were discovered in Kazakhstan, Russia, and China. Researchers were later able to trace these outbreaks back to strains contained in KEVEVAPI vaccines for lumpy skin disease (LSD). Those vaccines contained multiple virus strains, including a wild type of LSD virus not found in that particular eastern region and goatpox virus (GTPV).
Dr Chimes said an incident should be a signal that there are quality control issues at the Kenyan facility. Therefore, by bringing this vaccine into the country and injecting your animals with the vaccine, you are not merely putting your own herd at risk. You might also be introducing any type of new disease, such as another FMD strain, into the country as well.
Prof Maree agreed, adding that a vaccine must be tested rigorously to ensure that it will work for the intended purpose before it can be rolled out willy-nilly. – Susan Marais, Plaas Media
