Gauteng has reported a sharp decline in new foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks, with new cases falling from 166 between October 2025 and January 2026 to just six between June and August 2026.
By Maile Matsimela, digital editor at African Farming
The Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD) says this represents a 96.34% decline in new outbreaks, signalling progress in efforts to bring the disease under control.
The province attributes the improvement to its FMD Rapid Response Approach, which has included increased vaccination, surveillance, movement controls and biosecurity measures, supported by additional resources for field personnel and disease control.
Also read: WATCH | Government ramps up FMD vaccination campaign in Gauteng
More than 542 000 animals vaccinated
Vaccination has been a major part of Gauteng’s response to the outbreak. Between February and August 2026, 542 577 animals were vaccinated across the province. These included cattle in feedlots, dairy operations, communal herds and commercial beef herds.
According to the department, 94% of Gauteng’s cattle herd outside feedlots has received an initial FMD vaccination. This is above the 80% coverage level generally targeted to support strong herd immunity.
All cattle on the province’s dairy farms have also received a second, booster vaccination.
Progress has also been made in releasing affected herds from quarantine. Of the 308 herds confirmed to have been infected with FMD since April 2025, 176 – or 57% – have been cleared of quarantine. The department says the herds were released after clinical inspections found no evidence of circulating FMD virus.
‘We cannot afford to become complacent’
Gauteng MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Vuyiswa Ramokgopa welcomed the progress but warned livestock owners that the threat posed by FMD had not disappeared.
“A 96% reduction in new outbreaks is a significant achievement and shows that our collective efforts are working. But we cannot afford to become complacent.”
The department has urged livestock owners to continue applying strict biosecurity measures, monitor their animals for signs of disease and immediately report suspected FMD cases to their local state veterinarian.
Also read: FMD | Vaccination update from Gauteng
African Farming
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