{"id":296433,"date":"2026-02-27T11:30:05","date_gmt":"2026-02-27T09:30:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/?p=296433"},"modified":"2026-03-05T14:46:56","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T12:46:56","slug":"foot-and-mouth-disease-needs-regional-approach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/foot-and-mouth-disease-needs-regional-approach\/","title":{"rendered":"Foot and mouth disease now demands a regional approach"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In a stark illustration of effective disease management, Namibia has emerged as the sole country bordering South Africa that remains free from foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks outside controlled areas, as the livestock pandemic continues to ravage the Southern African region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The confirmation of FMD’s first outbreak in Lesotho has completed a devastating picture across the subcontinent, leaving Namibia as the singular success story amongst South Africa’s neighbours. This achievement comes as agricultural experts warn that only a coordinated regional approach can now stem the tide of the highly contagious disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Apart from Namibia, there is currently no other country bordering South Africa where outbreaks outside controlled areas have not been confirmed,” stated agricultural organisation Saai in a press release that highlighted the crisis engulfing the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Namibia’s remarkable isolation from the pandemic is attributed to the country’s “strict, disciplined protocols” designed to protect its valuable red meat export status, an approach that neighbouring Botswana has attempted to emulate with varying degrees of success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The disease’s relentless march across borders has been facilitated by poorly controlled livestock movement, a problem that has proven particularly acute along the Lesotho-South Africa border. Agricultural experts point to decades of stock theft in the Eastern Free State as a contributing factor to the latest outbreak, with stolen cattle creating uncontrolled movement patterns that circumvent biosecurity measures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regional response under scrutiny<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The crisis has exposed significant weaknesses in regional coordination structures, with critics arguing that the Southern African Development Community (SADC) lacks the capacity for effective implementation of cross-border disease control measures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Simply leaving the problem to SADC could be catastrophic,” the Saai statement warned, citing the organisation’s failure to restore its own tribunal in Windhoek after 14 years, despite constitutional court rulings declaring the absence of judges unlawful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead, agricultural leaders are advocating for a civil initiative involving farmers, veterinarians, and businesses across the meat and dairy value chains – a programme that would be funded and monitored by governments but driven by industry expertise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Bek-en-klouseer in Lesotho: Takel skutgeriewe en oorgrensmisdaad, pleit VL<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Domestic challenges mount<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Within South Africa, the structures required to implement the national vaccination programme are facing severe criticism. The Red Meat Industry Structure (RMIS), granted extensive powers to manage the counter-strategy, has been accused of being “captured and controlled by feedlots” rather than serving primary producers’ interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Agricultural stakeholders have expressed particular concern about RMIS’s role as “gatekeeper of vaccination programmes,” with farmers reporting regular exclusion of key players and value chain partners at the organisation’s insistence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The criticism intensified following RMIS’s controversial communication ban imposed on farmers when FMD escalated in April 2025, leaving agricultural professionals to interpret developments without direct industry input.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Namibian model<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As the region grapples with these structural challenges, Namibia’s success offers a template for effective FMD management. The country’s achievement in maintaining disease-free status whilst surrounded by affected territories demonstrates that robust protocols and disciplined implementation can protect both livestock health and crucial export markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With agricultural experts warning that “a single infected animal can destroy a country’s FMD status,” Namibia’s continued vigilance serves as both an inspiration and a reminder of what stands to be lost as the region battles to contain this devastating livestock pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The call for “a more transparent, representative, neutral and effective structure” to coordinate the regional fight against FMD has gained urgency, with Namibia’s isolated success highlighting both the possibility of effective disease control and the catastrophic consequences of its absence, says dr Theo de Jager, board chairman of Saai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In a stark illustration of effective disease management, Namibia has emerged as the sole country bordering South Africa that remains free from foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks outside controlled […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":270270,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_linkdex":"","_yoast_wpseo_content_score":"90","_yoast_wpseo_inclusive_language_score":"90","_yoast_wpseo_is_cornerstone":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image-id":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image-id":"","newspack_ads_suppress_ads":false,"newspack_sponsor_sponsorship_scope":"","newspack_sponsor_native_byline_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_native_category_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_style":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_placement":"inherit","_crsspst_to_novanewscoza":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozabloemnewsexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozacityvision":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozadistrictmailhelderberg":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaeikestadnuus":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozahermanustimes":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozakomani-karoo":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozakougaexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozamthathaexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozanoordkaapbulletin":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapaarlpost":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapeexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapeoplespost":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaswartlandgazette":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozatygerburger":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaudexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozavrystaatkroon":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaweskusnuus":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaweslander":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaworcesterstandard":false,"_EventAllDay":"","_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":"","_EventShowMapLink":"","_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":"","_EventVenueID":"","_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":"","_VenueShowMapLink":"","_application":"","_batch_id":"","_company_name":"","_company_tagline":"","_company_twitter":"","_company_video":"","_company_website":"","_custom_id":"","_EventDuration":"","_EventOrigin":"","_EventTimezoneAbbr":"","_featured":"","_filled":"","_job_expires":"","_job_location":"","_media_credit":"","_media_credit_url":"","_menu_item_menu_item_parent":"","_menu_item_object":"","_menu_item_object_id":"","_menu_item_target":"","_menu_item_type":"","_menu_item_url":"","_menu_item_xfn":"","_navis_media_can_distribute":"","_navis_media_credit_org":"","_OrganizerOrigin":"","_provider":"","_pum_built_in":"","_pum_default_theme":"","_pum_form_conversion_count":"","_remote_id":"","_remote_name":"","_remote_position":"","_report_frequency":"","_report_reference_dates":"","_send_attempts":"","_site_id":"","_sitemap_exclude":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","_sitemap_priority":"","_source_url":"","_subscription_period":"","_subscription_period_interval":"","_subscription_price":"","_tec_slr_enabled":"","_tec_slr_layout":"","_template_type":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_ticket_start_date":"","_tribe_aggregator_allow_multiple_organizers":"","_tribe_aggregator_content_type":"","_tribe_aggregator_file":"","_tribe_aggregator_finalized":"","_tribe_aggregator_hash":"","_tribe_aggregator_import_id":"","_tribe_aggregator_import_name":"","_tribe_aggregator_interactive":"","_tribe_aggregator_origin":"","_tribe_aggregator_post_status":"","_tribe_aggregator_preview":"","_tribe_aggregator_source_name":"","_tribe_aggregator_type":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_hide_attendees_list":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":"","_tribe_ticket_version":"","_type":"","_VenueOrigin":"","_wp_attachment_context":"","_wp_attachment_image_alt":"","_wp_font_face_file":"","_wp_old_date":"","_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes":"1","_yoast_wpseo_focuskeywords":"","_yoast_wpseo_focuskw_text_input":"","_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_block-catalog":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":"8881","_yoast_wpseo_primary_job_listing_type":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_nova_retailer":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_publication":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_tribe_events_cat":"","_yoast_wpseo_videositemap-duration":"","_yoast_wpseo_videositemap-rating":"","_menu_item_classes":[],"_tribe_modified_fields":[],"_wp_attachment_backup_sizes":[],"_wp_suggested_privacy_policy_content":[],"_yoast_post_redirect_info":[],"_yoast_wpseo_video_meta":[],"activation_date":"","archive_insertion_is_repeating":"","archive_insertion_posts_count":"","article_feature_media":"","article_feature_type":"","article_main_image_caption":"","article_media_icon":"","article_template":"","author_byline":"","background_color":"","block_editor":"1","byline":"","cmplz_hide_cookiebanner":"","competition_end_date":"","contact_advertise_email":"","contact_advertise_phone":"","contact_editorial_email":"","contact_general_email":"","contact_general_phone":"","contact_office_hours":"","contact_physical_address":"","enabled":"","featured_image_custom_caption":"","featured_video_url":"","fields":"","font_body":"","font_header":"","frequency":"","headline":"","hide_border":"","icon":"","is_wp_suggestion":"","issuu_download_url":"","issuu_embed_url":"","language_version_url":"","large_border":"","name":"","nm_contact_name":"","nm_contact_number":"","nm_date_lost":"","no_overlay_background":"","node-url":"","obituary_born_date":"","obituary_died_date":"","obituary_memoriam_text":"","origin":"","overlay_color":"","overlay_opacity":"","overlay_size":"","placement":"","plural_label":"","post_author":"","post_id":"","post_language":"en","secret-key":"","sponsored_utm_campaign":"","sponsored_utm_content":"","sponsored_utm_medium":"","sponsored_utm_source":"","sponsored_utm_term":"","start_date":"","utm_suppression":"","video_embed_url":"","wp_pattern_sync_status":"","data_version":[],"enclosure":[],"pongrass_image":[],"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_newspack_byline_active":false,"_newspack_byline":"","newspack_content_restriction_is_exempt":false,"scaip_prevent_shortcode_addition":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[8881,7970],"tags":[91],"newspack_spnsrs_tax":[],"publication":[],"class_list":["post-296433","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-agriculture","category-news","tag-top"],"yoast_head":"\nFoot and mouth disease now demands a regional approach | Vista<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover why foot and mouth disease now demands a regional approach for effective management in Southern Africa.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/foot-and-mouth-disease-needs-regional-approach\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Foot and mouth disease now demands a regional approach\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Discover why foot and mouth disease now demands a regional approach for effective management in Southern Africa.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/foot-and-mouth-disease-needs-regional-approach\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Vista\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/VistaNewsNuus\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-02-27T09:30:05+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-03-05T12:46:56+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bek-en-klouseer.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"600\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"503\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Karen Herbert\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Karen Herbert\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"1 minute\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/foot-and-mouth-disease-needs-regional-approach\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/foot-and-mouth-disease-needs-regional-approach\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Karen Herbert\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/ef6ef7da58993267bb8182df6e1ddfe0\"},\"headline\":\"Foot and mouth disease now demands a regional approach\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-02-27T09:30:05+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-03-05T12:46:56+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/foot-and-mouth-disease-needs-regional-approach\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":608,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/foot-and-mouth-disease-needs-regional-approach\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/bek-en-klouseer.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Top\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Agriculture\",\"News\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/foot-and-mouth-disease-needs-regional-approach\\\/#respond\"]}],\"copyrightYear\":\"2026\",\"copyrightHolder\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/#organization\"}},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/foot-and-mouth-disease-needs-regional-approach\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/foot-and-mouth-disease-needs-regional-approach\\\/\",\"name\":\"Foot and mouth disease now demands a regional approach | Vista\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/foot-and-mouth-disease-needs-regional-approach\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/foot-and-mouth-disease-needs-regional-approach\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/bek-en-klouseer.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-02-27T09:30:05+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-03-05T12:46:56+00:00\",\"description\":\"Discover why foot and mouth disease now demands a regional approach for effective management in Southern Africa.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/foot-and-mouth-disease-needs-regional-approach\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/foot-and-mouth-disease-needs-regional-approach\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/foot-and-mouth-disease-needs-regional-approach\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/bek-en-klouseer.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/bek-en-klouseer.jpg\",\"width\":600,\"height\":503,\"caption\":\"As FMD spreads across the region, Namibia's strict protocols prove their worth whilst neighbours struggle with containment\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/foot-and-mouth-disease-needs-regional-approach\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Agriculture\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/agriculture\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Foot and mouth disease now demands a regional approach\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/\",\"name\":\"Vista News\",\"description\":\"To Inform, Engage and Empower Local Communities\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Vista News\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/vista-site-icon.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/vista-site-icon.png\",\"width\":512,\"height\":512,\"caption\":\"Vista News\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/VistaNewsNuus\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/vistanewspaper\"],\"description\":\"Vista is a regional newspaper based in Welkom, the capital of Matjhabeng Municipality, in the central Free State. Vista, an English\\\/Afrikaans publication, first brought news to the community on 23 April 1971, with the following message on the front page: \u201cWe are here to write about the Goldfield and its people. We are here to serve the area in which we find ourselves, and with the help of our readers \u2013 who refine us with their constructive criticism.\",\"email\":\"vistanews@novusmedia.co.za\",\"telephone\":\"+27573571304\",\"legalName\":\"Novus Media (Pty) Ltd\",\"foundingDate\":\"2025-01-01\",\"vatID\":\"4100318916\",\"taxID\":\"2000\\\/018234\\\/07\",\"numberOfEmployees\":{\"@type\":\"QuantitativeValue\",\"minValue\":\"51\",\"maxValue\":\"200\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/ef6ef7da58993267bb8182df6e1ddfe0\",\"name\":\"Karen Herbert\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/e2f71957756b7baec68cb21de4a0a36271bc3e5265cdb6f69102ac4b2fbc18fb?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/e2f71957756b7baec68cb21de4a0a36271bc3e5265cdb6f69102ac4b2fbc18fb?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/e2f71957756b7baec68cb21de4a0a36271bc3e5265cdb6f69102ac4b2fbc18fb?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Karen Herbert\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/author\\\/karen-herbert\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Foot and mouth disease now demands a regional approach | Vista","description":"Discover why foot and mouth disease now demands a regional approach for effective management in Southern Africa.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/foot-and-mouth-disease-needs-regional-approach\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Foot and mouth disease now demands a regional approach","og_description":"Discover why foot and mouth disease now demands a regional approach for effective management in Southern Africa.","og_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/foot-and-mouth-disease-needs-regional-approach\/","og_site_name":"Vista","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/VistaNewsNuus","article_published_time":"2026-02-27T09:30:05+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-03-05T12:46:56+00:00","og_image":[{"width":600,"height":503,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bek-en-klouseer.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Karen Herbert","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Karen Herbert","Est. reading time":"1 minute"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/foot-and-mouth-disease-needs-regional-approach\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/foot-and-mouth-disease-needs-regional-approach\/"},"author":{"name":"Karen Herbert","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/#\/schema\/person\/ef6ef7da58993267bb8182df6e1ddfe0"},"headline":"Foot and mouth disease now demands a regional approach","datePublished":"2026-02-27T09:30:05+00:00","dateModified":"2026-03-05T12:46:56+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/foot-and-mouth-disease-needs-regional-approach\/"},"wordCount":608,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/foot-and-mouth-disease-needs-regional-approach\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bek-en-klouseer.jpg","keywords":["Top"],"articleSection":["Agriculture","News"],"inLanguage":"en-ZA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/foot-and-mouth-disease-needs-regional-approach\/#respond"]}],"copyrightYear":"2026","copyrightHolder":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/#organization"}},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/foot-and-mouth-disease-needs-regional-approach\/","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/foot-and-mouth-disease-needs-regional-approach\/","name":"Foot and mouth disease now demands a regional approach | Vista","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/foot-and-mouth-disease-needs-regional-approach\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/foot-and-mouth-disease-needs-regional-approach\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bek-en-klouseer.jpg","datePublished":"2026-02-27T09:30:05+00:00","dateModified":"2026-03-05T12:46:56+00:00","description":"Discover why foot and mouth disease now demands a regional approach for effective management in Southern Africa.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/foot-and-mouth-disease-needs-regional-approach\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-ZA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/foot-and-mouth-disease-needs-regional-approach\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/foot-and-mouth-disease-needs-regional-approach\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bek-en-klouseer.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bek-en-klouseer.jpg","width":600,"height":503,"caption":"As FMD spreads across the region, Namibia's strict protocols prove their worth whilst neighbours struggle with containment"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/foot-and-mouth-disease-needs-regional-approach\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Agriculture","item":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/agriculture\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Foot and mouth disease now demands a regional approach"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/#website","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/","name":"Vista News","description":"To Inform, Engage and Empower Local Communities","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-ZA"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/#organization","name":"Vista News","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/vista-site-icon.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/vista-site-icon.png","width":512,"height":512,"caption":"Vista News"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/VistaNewsNuus","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/vistanewspaper"],"description":"Vista is a regional newspaper based in Welkom, the capital of Matjhabeng Municipality, in the central Free State. Vista, an English\/Afrikaans publication, first brought news to the community on 23 April 1971, with the following message on the front page: \u201cWe are here to write about the Goldfield and its people. We are here to serve the area in which we find ourselves, and with the help of our readers \u2013 who refine us with their constructive criticism.","email":"vistanews@novusmedia.co.za","telephone":"+27573571304","legalName":"Novus Media (Pty) Ltd","foundingDate":"2025-01-01","vatID":"4100318916","taxID":"2000\/018234\/07","numberOfEmployees":{"@type":"QuantitativeValue","minValue":"51","maxValue":"200"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/#\/schema\/person\/ef6ef7da58993267bb8182df6e1ddfe0","name":"Karen Herbert","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e2f71957756b7baec68cb21de4a0a36271bc3e5265cdb6f69102ac4b2fbc18fb?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e2f71957756b7baec68cb21de4a0a36271bc3e5265cdb6f69102ac4b2fbc18fb?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e2f71957756b7baec68cb21de4a0a36271bc3e5265cdb6f69102ac4b2fbc18fb?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Karen Herbert"},"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/author\/karen-herbert\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bek-en-klouseer.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":297987,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/agriculture-focuses-on-resilience-at-nampo-2026\/","url_meta":{"origin":296433,"position":0},"title":"Agriculture focuses on resilience at NAMPO 2026","author":"Marti Will","date":"11 May 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"NAMPO PARK, Bothaville\u00a0\u2013 South Africa's largest agricultural exhibition returns from 12 to 15 May under the theme \"Resilience through Innovation\", addressing mounting pressures on producers from climate variability, rising costs and market uncertainty. NAMPO Harvest Day 2026 will bring together producers, agribusinesses and the broader agricultural value chain at NAMPO\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Agriculture"","block_context":{"text":"Agriculture","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/agriculture\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Nampo Harvest Day 2026","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Nmapo-grounds-map-696x464-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Nmapo-grounds-map-696x464-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Nmapo-grounds-map-696x464-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":295994,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/sunflowers-radiate-their-collective-cheer\/","url_meta":{"origin":296433,"position":1},"title":"Sunflowers radiate their collective cheer","author":"Marti Will","date":"12 February 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The Free State experiences peak sunflower bloom from March to April, transforming the landscape into stunning golden fields. Ideal weather and soil conditions support sunflower production, attracting tourists and photographers. Early blooming may occur due to favorable conditions. This agricultural display symbolizes both regional prosperity and the dedication of local\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Agriculture"","block_context":{"text":"Agriculture","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/agriculture\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Sunfower2_15528.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Sunfower2_15528.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Sunfower2_15528.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Sunfower2_15528.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Sunfower2_15528.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":294345,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/bek-en-klouseer-neem-toe\/","url_meta":{"origin":296433,"position":2},"title":"Gevalle van bek-en-klouseer in Vrystaat neem toe","author":"Karen Herbert","date":"11 November 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Diep kommer heers oor die aantal bek-en-klouseer gevalle in die Vrystaat wat skerp styg.\u00a0 In \u2018n verklaring van die departement van landbou en landelike ontwikkeling wat op Donderdag 6 November uitgereik is, staan die totale bevestigde bek-en-klouseer gevalle in die Vrystaat, op 74. Gevalle per munisipaliteit Kroonstad 10 Viljoenskroon en\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Agriculture"","block_context":{"text":"Agriculture","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/agriculture\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"bek-en-klouseer","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Beeste-vir-Bek-en-Klouseer-berig-WEB-Foto-Madli-Grobbelaar.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Beeste-vir-Bek-en-Klouseer-berig-WEB-Foto-Madli-Grobbelaar.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Beeste-vir-Bek-en-Klouseer-berig-WEB-Foto-Madli-Grobbelaar.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Beeste-vir-Bek-en-Klouseer-berig-WEB-Foto-Madli-Grobbelaar.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Beeste-vir-Bek-en-Klouseer-berig-WEB-Foto-Madli-Grobbelaar.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Beeste-vir-Bek-en-Klouseer-berig-WEB-Foto-Madli-Grobbelaar.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":298421,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/hooggeregshof-uitspraak-bied-uiteindelik-hoop-met-bek-en-klouseersiekte\/","url_meta":{"origin":296433,"position":3},"title":"Hof-uitspraak oor staatshantering van bek-en-klouseer bied uiteindelik hoop","author":"Helena Barnard","date":"25 May 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"'n Hooggeregshof-uitspraak bied uiteindelik hoop dat die wegholverspreiding van die staatsbeheerde bek-en-klouseersiekte nou met inisiatief van die private sektor gestuit kan word.","rel":"","context":"In "Agriculture"","block_context":{"text":"Agriculture","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/agriculture\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Bek- en Klouseersiekte (FMD)","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Bek-en-klouseersiekte.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Bek-en-klouseersiekte.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Bek-en-klouseersiekte.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Bek-en-klouseersiekte.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Bek-en-klouseersiekte.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Bek-en-klouseersiekte.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":294684,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/more-sluices-in-vaal-dam-opened-communities-warned\/","url_meta":{"origin":296433,"position":4},"title":"More sluices in Vaal Dam opened \u2013 communities warned","author":"Lientjie Mentz","date":"20 November 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The Department of Water and Sanitation warned residents next to the Vaal river in lower-lying areas to take percautions in the wake of sluice gates being opened at Vaal Dam.","rel":"","context":"In "Agriculture"","block_context":{"text":"Agriculture","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/agriculture\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/e4c37880-dffc-4a8d-934e-3c0883cd4138.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/e4c37880-dffc-4a8d-934e-3c0883cd4138.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/e4c37880-dffc-4a8d-934e-3c0883cd4138.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/e4c37880-dffc-4a8d-934e-3c0883cd4138.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/e4c37880-dffc-4a8d-934e-3c0883cd4138.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/e4c37880-dffc-4a8d-934e-3c0883cd4138.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":296631,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/urgent-r59-repairs-ahead-of-nampo\/","url_meta":{"origin":296433,"position":5},"title":"Urgent R59 repairs ahead of NAMPO Harvest Day event a top priority","author":"Marti Will","date":"10 March 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Concerns have arisen over the deteriorating R59 road ahead of the NAMPO Harvest Day in May, prompting the Democratic Alliance to urge SANRAL for urgent repairs. The DA seeks clarity on road custodianship transfer while stressing that immediate action is necessary to prevent further damage, impacting local farmers and the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Agriculture"","block_context":{"text":"Agriculture","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/agriculture\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Urgent R59 Repairs Ahead of NAMPO Harvest Day Event","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Nampo.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Nampo.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Nampo.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Nampo.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Nampo.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Nampo.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]}],"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"NovaNews","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/296433","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/25"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=296433"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/296433\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/270270"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=296433"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=296433"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=296433"},{"taxonomy":"newspack_spnsrs_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/newspack_spnsrs_tax?post=296433"},{"taxonomy":"publication","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/publication?post=296433"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}