Free State Confirms 739 Foot and Mouth Disease Cases as Vaccination Campaign Passes 1.4 Million Cattle

The Free State Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs has confirmed 11 new cases of foot and mouth disease (FMD), bringing the province’s total number of confirmed cases to 739. While the increase highlights the continued threat posed by the disease, provincial authorities have also reported encouraging progress in containing outbreaks through quarantine measures, vaccination campaigns and ongoing surveillance. The latest update demonstrates that South Africa’s fight against FMD remains active, with veterinary teams working closely with farmers to reduce transmission and protect the livestock industry. Foot and mouth disease continues to present significant challenges for cattle producers, affecting animal movement, market access and agricultural productivity. The department is urging all livestock owners and industry stakeholders to remain vigilant and comply with disease control measures to prevent further spread.

The 11 newly confirmed cases were recorded across four State Veterinary Areas within the province. According to the department, three cases were identified in the Welkom State Veterinary Area, four in the Fauresmith State Veterinary Area, two in the Bloemfontein State Veterinary Area and two in the Boshof State Veterinary Area. These additional cases reflect the ongoing need for continuous surveillance and rapid intervention in affected regions. Veterinary officials continue to monitor the situation closely while implementing control measures aimed at preventing new outbreaks. Early detection remains one of the most effective tools in limiting the spread of the disease and protecting neighbouring farming communities.

Despite the increase in confirmed infections, the department has reported substantial progress in managing the outbreak. Of the 739 confirmed cases recorded across the province, 492 outbreaks have been successfully resolved after affected farms completed all required quarantine periods and disease control measures. This means that 247 cases remain active and continue to be managed under quarantine restrictions. The number of resolved cases demonstrates that coordinated disease management strategies are producing positive results despite the ongoing challenges. It also provides reassurance that strict biosecurity measures and veterinary interventions can successfully contain outbreaks when implemented consistently.

Foot and mouth disease has now been confirmed in 19 local municipalities throughout the Free State. The highest concentration of confirmed cases remains in the Kroonstad State Veterinary Area, where 125 cases have been recorded. Heilbron follows with 95 confirmed cases, while Frankfort has reported 81 cases. Bethlehem has recorded 67 cases and Sasolburg has confirmed 64 infections. These figures illustrate how the disease has affected multiple livestock producing regions and reinforce the importance of maintaining strict movement controls and surveillance across provincial boundaries.

Vaccination remains one of the cornerstones of the province’s response to foot and mouth disease. As part of South Africa’s national risk based vaccination strategy, veterinary teams have vaccinated 1,438,393 cattle using the Biogenesis Bagó and Dollvet vaccines. This large scale vaccination campaign represents one of the most significant disease control interventions currently underway in the province. Vaccinating cattle helps reduce the spread of the virus while protecting vulnerable livestock populations in high risk areas. Continued vaccination efforts remain essential in supporting the long term goal of reducing outbreaks and restoring animal health across affected regions.

The department confirmed that vaccination activities are continuing across infected farms, neighbouring properties, epidemiologically linked locations and other high risk areas identified through veterinary risk assessments. By focusing available vaccine supplies on locations facing the greatest threat, authorities aim to maximise the effectiveness of the vaccination programme. Although demand for vaccines remains extremely high, officials acknowledged that current supplies are limited and cannot immediately meet every request received from farmers. As a result, vaccine distribution continues to be prioritised according to veterinary assessments and disease risk. Farmers are nevertheless encouraged to continue submitting vaccination requests because this information assists authorities in planning future vaccine allocations as additional supplies become available.

Provincial authorities have also expressed concern over the continued failure by some livestock owners to report suspected cases of foot and mouth disease promptly. Reporting suspected infections is both a legal requirement and one of the most important components of an effective disease surveillance system. Under Government Gazette No. 54969, Government Notice No. 7668 of 8 July 2026, all suspected FMD cases must be reported on the same day they are identified. Immediate reporting allows veterinary officials to investigate suspected outbreaks, impose quarantine where necessary and implement disease control measures before infections spread further. Delayed reporting increases the risk of wider transmission and makes it more difficult to contain outbreaks effectively.

The department warned that failing to report suspected infections is a violation of the Animal Diseases Act, Act 35 of 1984, and undermines national efforts to control the disease. Inaccurate reporting also limits the ability of veterinary authorities to assess the true extent of outbreaks, allocate vaccines efficiently and develop appropriate response strategies. Officials have further raised concerns about declining compliance with basic biosecurity measures on some farms. Poor biosecurity practices increase the likelihood of disease transmission between neighbouring properties through animals, vehicles, equipment and people. Maintaining strict biosecurity standards therefore remains essential for protecting both individual farms and the broader livestock industry.

Livestock owners, auctioneers, feedlot operators, speculators and other role players have once again been reminded of their legal responsibilities in preventing the spread of foot and mouth disease. The department urges all stakeholders to report suspected cases immediately to the nearest State Veterinary Office or Animal Health Technician without delay. Farmers should isolate affected animals and immediately stop the movement of cloven hoofed animals, animal products, vehicles and equipment from infected premises. Access to livestock farms should be limited while strict cleaning and disinfection procedures are followed for vehicles, equipment, clothing and footwear. Authorities also emphasised that livestock may only be moved from quarantined properties with written veterinary permission and the appropriate documentation, while accurate livestock identification, vaccination and movement records must be maintained to support disease traceability. Farmers are further reminded to comply fully with quarantine notices and movement restrictions until they are officially lifted by veterinary authorities.

The latest update from the Free State Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs highlights both the ongoing challenges and encouraging progress in the fight against foot and mouth disease. While the province has now recorded 739 confirmed cases, nearly 500 outbreaks have already been resolved through coordinated disease management, vaccination and strict quarantine measures. The vaccination of more than 1.4 million cattle demonstrates the scale of the response being implemented to protect South Africa’s livestock sector. Continued cooperation between veterinary authorities, farmers and industry stakeholders will remain critical in preventing further transmission and restoring confidence in livestock production. By reporting suspected cases promptly, maintaining strong biosecurity measures and complying with movement restrictions, all participants in the livestock industry can help bring South Africa closer to achieving effective control and eventual eradication of foot and mouth disease.