The Free State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has reported 15 new confirmed cases of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), bringing the provincial total to 141 cases in eight local municipalities.
By Maile Matsimela, digital editor at African Farming
The latest FMD cases were discovered in Parys/Vredefort (2), Viljoenskroon (3), Deneysville/Sasolburg (8), Edenville (1) and Vrede (1), according to a press release from the department on Thursday, December 11.
The outbreak is spreading across several areas
The department has identified 13 different outbreak areas, spread across eight municipalities. The worst affected area remains Viljoenskroon/Vredefort in Moqhaka local municipality, with 50 confirmed cases, followed by Deneysville/Sasolburg in Metsimaholo local municipality with 30 cases.
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Other affected areas include:
- Parys/Vredefort, Ngwathe local municipality: 22 cases
- Kroonstad, Moqhaka local municipality: 10 cases
- Cornelia/Frankfort, Mafube Local Municipality: 10 cases
- Edenville, Ngwathe Local Municipality: 6 cases
- Bothaville, Nala Local Municipality: 3 cases
- Heilbron, Ngwathe local municipality: 2 cases
- Twins, Mafube Local Municipality: 2 cases
- Peace, Phumelela Local Municipality: 2 cases
- Hlohlolwane (Clocolan), Setsoto Local Municipality: 2 cases
- Odendaalsrus, Matjhabeng Local Municipality: 1 case
- Marquard, Setsoto Local Municipality: 1 case
Immediate response measures
The department has implemented extensive control measures, including priority vaccination at affected farms. “Vaccination began immediately to help reduce the viral load and limit further spread of the virus,” the department said.
Movement restrictions are now in place on all farms within a 10 kilometer radius of the affected properties, and affected farms have been quarantined. All farms in the surveillance area have been notified and quarantined as a precautionary measure until surveillance activities are completed.
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Call for industry cooperation
The department has issued an urgent appeal for cooperation from farmers and all other stakeholders to help stop the spread of this disease.
Key requirements include preventing illegal movements of animals from surveillance areas and promptly reporting suspected cases. The department warns that “silence will only prolong outbreaks and delay the process of returning to normal.”
Legal framework and biosecurity measures
The following biosecurity measures are required under Government Gazette No. 51512 of June 13, 2025 and the Animal Diseases Act (Act 35 of 1984):
- Restriction of the freedom of movement of cloven-hoofed animals
- Disinfection of vehicles and equipment
- A 28-day quarantine for new livestock before introducing them to existing herds
- Accurate registration of animal movements and farm visitors
- Immediate reporting of suspected cases involving excessive salivation, oral lesions or lameness
The department emphasized that “moving animals under quarantine without the necessary documentation is a criminal offense.” Officials have stressed that these measures are crucial to protect livestock farming and prevent the further spread of FMD.
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Concerns about the economic impact
The ministry warned of wider economic consequences, noting: “The longer surveillance has to continue, the longer precautionary quarantines will remain in place – increasing both the financial impact on farmers and the economic impact on the Free State Province as a whole.” Officials expressed optimism that “with unity, transparency and cooperation, we can overcome this outbreak and protect both our livestock sector and our economy.”
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