The Free State Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs has confirmed ten new cases of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in multiple areas in the province, bringing the total number of outbreaks to 433.
The latest cases, confirmed on Saturday, April 11, have been detected in Winburg (2), Bultfontein (1), the Welcome/Odendaalsrus/Ventersburg/Hennenman/Virginia cluster (1), Kroonstad (1), Viljoenskroon/Vredefort (2), Vrede/Memel (2) and Qwa-Qwa/Harrismith (1).
The ministry says the disease has now been confirmed in 18 local municipalities in the province, with ongoing outbreaks continuing to put significant pressure on the livestock sector and efforts to contain the disease. Among the worst affected areas are the Viljoenskroon/Vredefort outbreak in Moqhaka municipality, which accounts for 69 confirmed cases, and the Parys/Vredefort cluster in Ngwathe municipality with 50 cases. Other notable hotspots include Sasolburg/Deneysville (46 cases), Frankfort/Cornelia/Villiers (35 cases) and Bethlehem (14 cases).
Smaller but active outbreaks have also been recorded in areas such as Ladybrand/Hobhouse, Smithfield/Rouxville and Bloemfontein. The ministry has emphasized that the spread of the disease is still driven by multiple local outbreaks, despite continued vaccination and containment measures.
A mass vaccination campaign is currently underway following the arrival of 200,000 doses of the Biogenesis Bago vaccine on February 25 and a further 195,000 doses of the Dollvet vaccine on March 12. The vaccination rollout in all five districts began on February 26. To date, 312,414 cattle have been vaccinated with the available vaccines. However, officials have warned that not all vaccination applications will be approved during the first phase as priority is given to high-risk areas under a targeted strategy.
Nevertheless, farmers are encouraged to continue submitting applications to assist with future vaccine planning and allocation. Movement restriction measures remain in place, with all farms within a 10 kilometer radius of infected properties under quarantine or precautionary observation. Surveillance operations are underway to assess possible further spread, while neighboring farms linked to suspected cases have also been notified and imposed restrictions.
The ministry has expressed concern about the increasing number of farmers failing to report suspected cases of FMD, warning that such behavior is both a criminal offense and a major obstacle to effective disease control. Officials say underreporting is distorting data on the outbreak, hampering vaccine distribution planning and risking further spread of the virus.
There is also growing concern about shortcomings in biosafety compliance. The ministry says failure to adhere to strict hygiene and containment measures accelerates transmission between farms and undermines control efforts. Farmers are reminded of their legal obligations under section 11 of the Animal Diseases Act (Act 35 of 1984), which requires animal owners to take all reasonable steps to prevent the introduction and spread of controlled diseases.
The ministry has warned that moving quarantined animals without permission is a criminal offense and called for full cooperation from all stakeholders. Officials say continued cooperation between government, industry and farming communities is essential to contain the outbreak and protect the province’s livestock industry from further economic damage.
Madli Grobbelaar
novanews.co.za