The Free State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has reported 15 newly confirmed cases of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), bringing the provincial total to 141 cases across eight local municipalities.

By Maile Matsimela, digital editor at African Farming

The latest FMD cases were detected in Parys/Vredefort (2), Viljoenskroon (3), Deneysville/Sasolburg (8), Edenville (1) and Vrede (1), according to a media release issued by the department on Thursday, 11 December.

Outbreak Spreads Across Multiple Areas

The department has identified 13 distinct outbreak areas spanning eight municipalities. The hardest-hit 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 are:

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
Tweeling, Mafube Local Municipality: 2 cases
Vrede, 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 comprehensive control measures, including prioritised vaccination on affected farms. “Vaccination commenced immediately to assist in reducing the viral load and limiting further circulation of the virus,” the department has stated.

Movement restrictions are now in place on all farms within a 10-kilometre radius of affected properties, and affected farms have been placed under quarantine. All farms in the surveillance zone have been notified and placed under precautionary quarantine until surveillance activities are completed.

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 animal movement from surveillance areas, and immediately reporting any suspect cases. The department warns that “remaining silent will only prolong the 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 13 June 2025 and the Animal Diseases Act (Act 35 of 1984):

Restriction of movement of cloven-hoofed animals
Disinfection of vehicles and equipment
A 28-day quarantine for new livestock before introduction to existing herds
Accurate record-keeping of animal movement and farm visitors
Immediate reporting of suspect cases showing excessive salivation, mouth lesions or lameness

The department emphasised that “the movement of animals under quarantine without the necessary documentation is a criminal offence”. Officials have stressed that these measures are critical to protect the livestock industry and prevent the further spread of FMD.

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Economic Impact Concerns

Warning of broader economic consequences, the department noted: “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 safeguard both our livestock sector and our economy”.