According to the latest foot-and-mouth disease report from the Department of Agriculture, most outbreaks (132 active cases) are in KwaZulu-Natal. There are 127 active cases at communal dip tanks and on a few small farms, and five in wildlife reserves.
The most recent case in the province was reported on 18 April. Since 10 May, no new cases have been reported.
According to the department, it is difficult to halt the spread of the disease here as buffalo in wildlife reserves may be carriers.
The number of active cases in the Free State decreased from 21 to 20 by 31 July but the Eastern Cape had 23 active cases, compared to nine on 30 June. Cattle on seven other farms in the province show symptoms of the disease, and the department says samples have been taken from them.
The department responded to a request to vaccinate dairy cattle in Humansdorp as a preventive measure, and a large-scale vaccination programme has been initiated. So far, 91 398 animals on 67 farms have been vaccinated.
In the meantime, restrictions on the movement of animals have been stepped up. Kouga Municipality has been declared an economic disaster area due to the devastating impact foot-and-mouth disease is having on its economy and agricultural sector.
There are no active cases of the disease in Gauteng, Limpopo, North West or Mpumalanga. So far, no cases of foot-and-mouth disease have been reported in the Northern Cape and Western Cape.
