370 Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreaks  Confirmed in the Free State

The Free State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has confirmed twenty-five (25) new cases of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), bringing the total number of outbreaks to 370 across the Free State province in South Africa. The department issued the update to alert farmers and stakeholders to the continued spread of the disease and the need for strict compliance with control measures.

New Confirmed Cases Across Affected Areas

The newly confirmed outbreaks were recorded in several livestock-producing areas, including Viljoenskroon/Vredefort (2), Sasolburg/Deneysville (1), Cornelia/Frankfort/Villiers (2), Bethlehem (2), Reitz/Lindley (3), Tweeling (1), Ventersburg (1), Marquard/Senekal (3), Ladybrand (2), Hlohlolwane (Clocolan) (5), and Boshof/Bultfontein (4). These new infections reflect the ongoing spread of the virus across multiple districts.

Spread Across Local Municipalities

To date, outbreaks have been confirmed across numerous local municipalities. Some of the most affected areas include Viljoenskroon/Vredefort with sixty-three (63) confirmed cases, Sasolburg/Deneysville with forty-six (46) cases, Parys/Vredefort with forty-nine (49) cases, Frankfort/Cornelia/Villiers with thirty (30) cases, and Hlohlolwane (Clocolan) with twenty-three (23) cases. Additional outbreaks have also been recorded in Bethlehem, Reitz/Lindley, Warden, Vrede/Memel, Welkom/Odendaalsrus/Ventersburg, Bothaville, Ladybrand, Rouxville, Edenburg, Bloemfontein, and Boshof/Bultfontein.

Vaccination Programme Underway

The department confirmed that 2,300 doses of vaccine received from national authorities have already been administered in the Bloemfontein, Boshof, Bultfontein, Bethlehem, Warden, and Frankfort State Veterinary Areas. The vaccinations form part of coordinated efforts to contain and manage the disease while reducing the risk of further spread.

Movement Restrictions and Quarantine Measures

Movement restrictions remain in place on all farms within a 10-kilometre radius of infected properties. Farms where infections have been confirmed have been placed under quarantine, while neighbouring farms have been placed under precautionary quarantine until surveillance activities are completed. Authorities have stressed that these measures are essential to prevent transmission between farms.

Concern Over Underreporting of Cases

The department has raised concern about an increase in farmers failing to report suspected cases of Foot-and-Mouth Disease. Officials warned that failure to report is a criminal offence and creates an inaccurate picture of the disease situation, which affects vaccination planning and delays control interventions. Inadequate reporting may also result in vaccine shortages in high-risk areas.

Biosecurity Compliance Urgently Required

Authorities have also noted declining compliance with biosecurity measures, which significantly increases the risk of accelerated viral spread. Farmers are reminded of their legal obligations in terms of Section 11 of the Animal Diseases Act to take all reasonable steps to prevent the introduction and spread of controlled diseases. Producers are strongly encouraged to immediately report any suspected cases to their nearest state veterinarian or animal health technician to enable rapid response and containment.