The number of confirmed cases of foot-and-mouth disease in the Free State has risen to 589, with at least 116 new cases identified in nine areas in the province, the Free State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has confirmed.
The new cases were registered in Kroonstad, Heilbron, Sasolburg, Frankfort, Bethlehem, Qwa-Qwa, Welcome, Bloemfontein and Boshof. Confirmed cases are now spread across 19 municipalities in the province.
Vaccination and movement restrictions
The department says vaccination of affected herds has been prioritized and additional vaccine doses have been secured. Movement restrictions have been imposed to prevent further spread, with animals not allowed to move within a 10 km radius of infected areas.
The department says the sharp increase in numbers reflects a change in the way cases are counted, with both reported and clinically diagnosed animals now being counted. Officials warn that unreported cases remain a serious problem as undocumented outbreaks disrupt vaccination planning and could lead to too few doses being allocated to affected areas.
Farmers are reminded that moving quarantined animals without the required documentation is a criminal offence. The department has urged farmers and stakeholders to maintain strict biosecurity and cooperate with containment efforts.
Source: OFM news
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