The Free State’s livestock industry remains under severe pressure, with the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs confirming four new cases of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), pushing the province’s total number of confirmed infections to 593.  

The department confirmed on Friday 22 May that the latest outbreaks had been detected in the Bethlehem State Veterinary area, which recorded two new cases, while Boshoff and Thaba Nchu each confirmed one additional infection.

Authorities say the disease has now spread across 19 municipalities in the province, raising growing concern among farmers and others involved in the agricultural sector. 

Kroonstad remains the epicentre of the outbreak, with 111 confirmed cases, followed by Heilbron with 93 and Frankfort with 74 infections. Significant numbers have also been reported in Sasolburg, Bethlehem, Warden, Welkom, Qwaqwa and Ladybrand.

Provincial authorities have intensified vaccination efforts, with more than 563 806 cattle already vaccinated using the Biogenesis Bago and Döllvet vaccines.

While applications for vaccination remain open, the department warned that demand currently exceeds capacity and that priority is being given to high-risk areas through a targeted rollout strategy.

Biosecurity measures still strictly enforced

Strict quarantine regulations and movement restrictions are being enforced on all farms situated within a 10 km radius of infected properties. Officials confirmed that affected farms have been placed under quarantine while surrounding farms are undergoing surveillance and precautionary monitoring to determine the extent of the spread.

The department raised alarm over reports that some livestock owners are failing to report suspected cases of FMD. Authorities stressed that withholding information was a criminal offence and posed a serious threat to efforts aimed at controlling the outbreak.

Pointing out what is greatly exacerbating the issue, officials warned that underreporting made it difficult to plan vaccination campaigns accurately and could result in vaccine shortages, delayed containment measures and further transmission of the virus to neighbouring farms. 

Farmers have been urged to immediately report animals showing symptoms such as excessive salivation, mouth lesions or lameness to state veterinarians or animal health technicians.

Concerns have also been raised about declining compliance with biosecurity measures, including the movement of livestock between farms without proper controls. In terms of Government Gazette No. 51512 and the Animal Diseases Act, livestock owners, auctioneers and speculators have been instructed to strictly restrict the movement of cloven-hoofed animals, disinfect vehicles and farming equipment, quarantine newly purchased livestock for at least 28 days and keep detailed records of animal movement and visitors to farms.

The department further warned that moving animals from quarantined areas without the required permits and documentation remained a criminal offence. Authorities said cooperation between farmers, veterinarians and the agricultural sector was essential to contain the disease and protect the province’s livestock economy from further devastation.