surveillance reports, the only clinical surveillance that was recorded was the scheduled surveillance as per the surveillance plans, no clinical surveillance following a buffalo incursion was recorded. According to the DVS, the main reason for not always carrying out clinical surveillance subsequent to buffalo incursions in Zone 2 was due to fact that the Department is overwhelmed with other competing activities in the district. The Department however stated that the situation was expected to improve as it continued to relieve itself of none regulatory functions. 

Failure to carry out clinical surveillance subsequent to buffalo incursions into vaccination zones heightened the risk of FMD infection spreading unnoticed in crushes that possibly had contact with such buffaloes. Such an improper risk management practice could also result in erosion of the DVS’s hard earned trust from key trading partners and thus putting the beef industry in jeopardy. 

## RECOMMENDATIONS 

The DVS should: 

 Ensure that mechanisms are in place to ensure prompt response in terms of conducting surveillance subsequent to buffalo incursions, so as to minimise the risk of the FMD infection spreading in other areas and crushes that may have had contact with such buffaloes. 

 Expedite the exercise of relieving itself of none regulatory functions to enhance its response efforts to high risk veterinary cases. 

