The Free State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has confirmed 15 additional cases of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the province to 106.
By Maile Matsimela, Digital Editor at African Farming
The latest cases were identified in Viljoenskroon/Vredefort (2), Parys (6), and Deneysville/Sasolburg (7), according to a media statement released on 21 November 2025.
Nine distinct outbreak areas identified
The disease has now spread across nine distinct outbreak areas in six local municipalities. The worst-affected area remains Viljoenskroon/Vredefort in the Moqhaka Municipality, with 45 confirmed cases, followed by Deneysville/Sasolburg in the Metsimaholo Municipality with 17 cases.
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Other affected areas include:
- Parys/Vredefort (Ngwathe Municipality) – 15 cases
- Kroonstad (Moqhaka Municipality) – 10 cases
- Cornelia/Frankfort (Mafube Municipality) – 8 cases
- Edenville (Ngwathe Municipality) – 4 cases
- Bothaville (Nala Municipality) – 2 cases
- Heilbron (Ngwathe Municipality) – 2 cases
- Odendaalsrus (Matjhabeng Municipality) – 1 case
- Marquard (Setsoto Municipality) – 1 case
- Hlohlolwane/Clocolan (Setsoto Municipality) – 1 case
Vaccination and quarantine measures in place
The department has implemented strict control measures, with vaccination programmes already underway on affected farms. “The department has prioritised vaccination of the infected farms. Vaccination commenced immediately to assist in reducing the viral load and limiting further circulation of the virus,” according to the statement.
Movement restrictions have been imposed on all farms within a 10-kilometre radius of infected properties, whilst infected farms have been placed under complete quarantine.
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Call for industry cooperation
The department has issued an urgent appeal for cooperation from the farming community and industry stakeholders. “The department urges farmers, industry partners,and all stakeholders to take hands and work together to stop the spread of this disease,” the statement read.
The department emphasised that silence would only prolong the outbreak: “Remaining silent will only prolong the outbreaks and delay the process of returning to normal.”
Officials warned that extended surveillance periods would mean longer quarantine restrictions, “increasing both the financial impact on farmers and the economic impact on the Free State province as a whole.”
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Legal obligations and biosecurity measures
In line with Government Gazette No. 51512 and the Animal Diseases Act (Act 35 of 1984), the department reminded stakeholders that specific obligations must be met:
- Restricting movement of cloven-hoofed animals.
- Adhering to biosecurity measures, including vehicle and equipment disinfection.
- Quarantining new livestock for 28 days before introducing them to existing herds.
- Maintaining accurate records of animal movements and farm visitors.
- Reporting suspect cases immediately to local State Veterinary Offices.
The department stressed: “The movement of animals under quarantine without the necessary documentation is a criminal offence.”
Farmers are urged to report any animals showing symptoms, including excessive salivation, mouth lesions or lameness, immediately.
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