Following the South African animal health milestone on Friday 6 February with the delivery of the first locally produced foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine. in twenty years, the Free State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development confirmed 35 additional cases of foot and mouth disease (FMD) a day later.
By Maile Matsimela, digital editor at African Farming
This brings the provincial total to 291 confirmed cases as of February 6.
The department says the latest outbreak has affected farms in multiple municipalities, with Marquard/Senekal recording the highest number of new cases with seven cases, followed by QwaQwa/Harrismith with six cases. Four new cases were confirmed in the Odendaalsrus/Welkom/Ventersburg region, and Parys/Vredefort and Heilbron reported three cases each.
Also read: FMD | What should we do while we wait for vaccines?
Two cases each were recorded in several areas, including Bethlehem, Hlohlolwane (Clocolan), Edenburg, Kroonstad and Warden. Some cases were confirmed in Sasolburg/Deneysville, Cornelia/Frankfort/Villiers, Reitz/Lindley, Viljoenskroon/Vredefort and Bothaville.
Current outbreak status
The disease has now spread to 13 local municipalities in the province. The worst affected area remains Viljoenskroon/Vredefort in Moqhaka local municipality with 52 confirmed cases, closely followed by Parys/Vredefort in Ngwathe local municipality with 45 cases. Sasolburg/Deneysville in Metsimaholo Local Municipality has recorded 43 cases and Cornelia/Frankfort/Villiers in Mafube Local Municipality has reported 27 cases.
The department reports that other significant outbreaks include Marquard/Senekal and Hlohlolwane (Clocolan) in Setsoto Local Municipality with 14 cases each, Kroonstad in Moqhaka Local Municipality with 13 cases, and QwaQwa/Harrismith in Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality with 12 cases. Smaller clusters have been identified in Vrede/Memel (12 cases), Edenville (11 cases), Reitz/Lindley (nine cases), Warden (eight cases), Heilbron (seven cases), Odendaalsrus/Welkom/Ventersburg (seven cases), Bethlehem (six cases), Bothaville (four cases), Gemini (three cases), and both Rouxville and Edenburg with two cases each.
In addition, a suspected case has been reported near Bloemfontein, with the department taking precautionary quarantine measures pending laboratory confirmation.
Also read: FMD | ‘It’s here. We are doing what we can to slow its spread” – Mayor Pappas
Control measures taken
The department has introduced comprehensive movement restrictions on all farms within a 10km radius of infected properties, placing them under quarantine with movement restrictions on cloven-hoofed animals in the affected areas.
Strict biosecurity requirements are now mandatory on all farms, including extensive disinfection protocols for vehicles and equipment. New livestock must undergo a mandatory 28-day quarantine period before being introduced into existing herds. Farmers must keep accurate and detailed records of all animal movements and visitors to their properties, and must immediately report animals showing suspicious symptoms to veterinary authorities.
Compliance concerns
The department has expressed serious concerns about increasing non-compliance among farmers, particularly regarding the under-reporting of suspected FMD cases. This failure to report constitutes a criminal offense under section 11 of the Animal Diseases Act (Act No. 35 of 1984) and creates significant challenges to disease management.
See also: SA’s own FMD vaccines – we were there!
Many farmers no longer adhere to established biosecurity principles, significantly increasing the risk of virus spread to neighboring fields. This inadequate reporting seriously hinders effective planning of vaccination campaigns, as accurate data is essential for determining vaccine quantities and deployment strategies. The department warns that poor compliance could lead to vaccine shortages in specific areas and delays in implementing control measures, increasing the risk of further spread of the disease.
Legal obligations
On the basis of the Animal Diseases Act and Government Gazette No. 51512, farmers face strict legal obligations. Animals exhibiting excessive salivation, oral lesions or lameness should be reported immediately to local veterinary authorities. All movements of cloven-hoofed animals should be restricted according to current regulations and appropriate quarantine procedures should be maintained at all times.
Farmers are required to keep detailed records of animal movements and maintain comprehensive visitor logs for their properties. The department emphasizes that moving animals under quarantine without proper documentation is a criminal offense and will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
Call for cooperation
The department has issued an urgent call for sector-wide cooperation, stating that farmers, industry partners and all stakeholders must work together to stop the spread of this disease. Officials emphasize that silence about suspected cases will only prolong outbreaks and delay the process of returning to normal agricultural activities.
The department emphasizes that the successful control and eventual eradication of the outbreak depends entirely on full cooperation with quarantine regulations and prompt reporting of suspected cases. It warns that the future of livestock farming depends on collective action and responsible agricultural practices during this critical period.
Also read: FMD: What can you do? –Dr. Sipokazi Nyeleka
Contact details
For veterinary services and technical support, farmers are urged to contact Dr. Jurgens Barnard, Acting Director of Veterinary Services, on 066 025 2229 or by email at jbfsvet@gmail.com. The department’s main hotline (051 861 8515) remains available for general questions and reporting.
The department strongly encourages farmers to immediately contact the nearest state veterinarian or animal health technician if they suspect FMD in their livestock. Early reporting and intervention remain critical to containing the outbreak and protecting the Free State’s livestock industry from further economic damage.
Also read:
FMD confirmed in Botswana; targeted vaccinations began
FMD vaccinations: ‘KZN ready to go immediately’ – public/private stakeholders
Keeping Gauteng food safe during the foot and mouth outbreak
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