The Department of Agriculture has confirmed a new outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in the Free State.
Investigators detected the latest case on a commercial farm in Moqhaka Local Municipality, within the Kroonstad State Veterinary area.
Veterinary authorities placed the affected property under quarantine on 8 July 2025. By 10 July, lab results confirmed the outbreak.
Traceback Begins, Nearby Farms Monitored
The department responded immediately by deploying control measures, including surveillance, livestock vaccination, and containment protocols.
Investigators have launched trace-back activities to identify the source of the infection.
Meanwhile, farms located within a 10-kilometre radius of the affected site are undergoing monitoring to assess the possible spread.
Rising National Case Numbers
As of July 2025, South Africa has recorded 270 outbreaks of FMD across five provinces. Authorities report that 249 outbreaks remain active, while they have resolved only 21.
KwaZulu-Natal continues to bear the brunt of the outbreaks, reporting 191 cases, of which 172 are still open.
In the Eastern Cape, authorities have recorded 40 outbreaks, with two resolved and no new infections since September 2024.
Gauteng has reported 32 cases since May 2025. North West has four active outbreaks, and Mpumalanga has recorded three cases to date.
The Department of Agriculture has urged farmers and stakeholders to cooperate fully with veterinary teams as the investigation and containment efforts continue.
Do you think South Africa is doing enough to prevent the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease across its provinces?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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