Suspected cases of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) were reported in Kalkfontein, Kuils River prompting immediate action from provincial veterinary services as authorities worked to contain the spread of the highly contagious livestock disease.
Over the weekend City of Cape Town enforcement agencies escorted Western Cape Agriculture Department officials, who conducted livestock inspections and vaccinations in both Kalkfontein and Mfuleni.
Blood samples have been collected from animals in the affected areas and sent to laboratories for testing.
Although Kalkfontein is a residential area it has several informal farming operations, including piggeries as well as cattle and goat-farming activities.
Daniel Johnson, spokesperson for Ivan Meyer, provincial Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, said 284 cattle displaying typical signs of FMD have been vaccinated in the area as a precautionary method.
The disease affects all cloven-hoofed animals causing painful sores in the mouth and around the hooves. While FMD does not affect humans, it can devastate livestock operations.
Provincial response escalates
The development comes as the province battles multiple suspected outbreaks across the region, including a confirmed case in Wellington’s Mbekweni area, where FMD was confirmed on Friday 6 February after a private veterinarian reported suspected symptoms earlier in the week.
Provincial authorities have implemented 24/7 border controls since Wednesday 4 February, with consideration being given to complete border closures and a permit system for cross-border trade.
In outbreak areas all animal movement is now prohibited.
Premier Alan Winde emphasised the economic stakes involved: “The Western Cape Government is taking the necessary action to slow the spread of FMD and vaccinate herds. Our focus is on protecting a critical multi-billion rand industry which employs 50 000 residents.”
He stressed the province is acting swiftly to get ahead of the outbreak and will set R100 million aside to procure enough vaccine doses to protect livestock.
Action plan
The province has urgently implemented a comprehensive 21-point plan, including:
- Movement control with 24/7 border monitoring and permits
- Enhanced surveillance through rapid veterinary response teams
- Strict communication protocols and bylaw enforcement
- Recovery operations including cleaning and quarantine monitoring.
The provincial government is awaiting approval from national Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen to implement a formal border permit system and procure vaccines.
The current alerts follow a successfully contained outbreak in Gouda in November 2025, where all infected animals were slaughtered at an approved abattoir and the farm underwent thorough cleaning and disinfection.
FMD is a controlled disease, and any suspicion of the disease must be reported immediately to the nearest state veterinarian.
The disease is highly contagious and can spread through direct contact with infected animals as well as via vehicles, equipment, clothing and feed.
Farmers are urged to purchase animals only from trusted sources, restrict access to their animals, and clean and disinfect any equipment, vehicles, footwear and clothing that may have had contact with other livestock.
All livestock movement to and within the Western Cape must be reported using the online application at https://tinyurl.com/AnimalMovementApp to help veterinary services identify high-risk movements.
Information packs for animal owners and transporters are available at https://www.elsenburg.com/western-cape/infopaks/
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