The Free State Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs has confirmed ten new cases of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) across multiple areas in the province, bringing the total number of outbreaks to 433.
The latest cases, confirmed on Saturday, 11 April, have been detected in Winburg (2), Bultfontein (1), the Welkom/Odendaalsrus/Ventersburg/Hennenman/Virginia cluster (1), Kroonstad (1), Viljoenskroon/Vredefort (2), Vrede/Memel (2), and Qwa-Qwa/Harrismith (1).
The Department says the disease has now been confirmed in 18 local municipalities across the province, with ongoing outbreaks continuing to place significant pressure on the livestock sector and containment efforts. Among the most affected areas are the Viljoenskroon/Vredefort outbreak in the Moqhaka Municipality, which accounts for 69 confirmed cases, and the Parys/Vredefort cluster in the Ngwathe Municipality with 50 cases. Other notable hotspots include Sasolburg/Deneysville (46 cases), Frankfort/Cornelia/Villiers (35 cases), and Bethlehem (14 cases).
Smaller but active outbreaks have also been recorded in areas such as Ladybrand/Hobhouse, Smithfield/Rouxville, and Bloemfontein. The Department has emphasised that the spread of the disease continues to be driven by multiple localised outbreaks, despite ongoing vaccination and containment measures.
A large-scale vaccination campaign is currently underway following the arrival of 200 000 doses of the Biogenesis Bago vaccine on 25 February and a further 195 000 doses of the Dollvet vaccine on 12 March. Vaccination roll-out across all five districts began on 26 February. To date, 312 414 cattle have been vaccinated using the available vaccines. However, officials have warned that not all vaccination applications will be approved during the first phase, as priority is being given to high-risk areas under a targeted strategy.
Farmers have nevertheless been encouraged to continue submitting applications to assist with future planning and vaccine allocation. Movement control measures remain in force, with all farms within a 10-kilometre radius of infected properties placed under quarantine or precautionary observation. Surveillance operations are ongoing to assess potential further spread, while neighbouring farms linked to suspected cases have also been notified and restricted.
The Department has raised concern over an increase in farmers failing to report suspected cases of FMD, warning that such behaviour is both a criminal offence and a major obstacle to effective disease control. Officials say under-reporting distorts outbreak data, hampers vaccine distribution planning, and risks further spread of the virus.
There is also growing concern about lapses in biosecurity compliance. The Department says failure to follow strict hygiene and containment measures is accelerating transmission between farms and undermining control efforts. Farmers are reminded of their legal obligations under Section 11 of the Animal Diseases Act (Act 35 of 1984), which requires animal owners to take all reasonable steps to prevent the introduction and spread of controlled diseases.
The Department has warned that the movement of animals under quarantine without authorisation is a criminal offence, and has called for full cooperation from all stakeholders. Officials say continued collaboration between government, industry, and farming communities is essential to contain the outbreak and protect the province’s livestock sector from further economic damage.
