The Department of Agriculture’s (DoA) latest FMD outbreak report, dated 30 September 2026, lists 2 871 individual outbreaks across South Africa. Of these, 1 370 have been reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) as resolved and closed, while 1 501 remain open.
The report, compiled by the DoA’s Directorate of Animal Health, confirms that outbreaks involving the SAT1 and SAT2 FMD strains continue to affect livestock production, particularly in the northern and eastern parts of South Africa.
However, the DoA cautions that an open outbreak does not necessarily indicate ongoing viral circulation. Some affected properties may no longer have active infections, but remain under quarantine while the required procedures for officially resolving the outbreak are completed.
Eastern Cape and Kwazulu-Natal bear the brunt
At 421, the Eastern Cape has the highest number of open FMD outbreaks, while only 12 have been officially closed. According to the DoA, outbreaks have been reported in every district of the province, with the SAT1 virus identified.
KwaZulu-Natal follows, with 346 open outbreaks and just 30 closed.
Together, the two provinces account for 767 open outbreaks, representing approximately 51% of the national total.
In KwaZulu-Natal, many of the current outbreaks are linked to the SAT2 outbreak that began in May 2021. The affected locations include five game reserves situated in close proximity to one another. The DoA acknowledged that complete resolution of these outbreaks is unlikely as buffalo populations in the reserves can act as carriers of the FMD virus, thereby complicating the matter in the province.
FMD is still present in all provinces
The report lists open FMD cases in all nine provinces. The provincial FMD outbreak status as at 30 September 2026 is as follows:
| Province | Open | Closed |
| Eastern Cape | 421 | 12 |
| KwaZulu-Natal | 346 | 30 |
| Free State | 163 | 634 |
| North West | 143 | 329 |
| Gauteng | 136 | 165 |
| Mpumalanga | 123 | 143 |
| Limpopo | 99 | 33 |
| Northern Cape | 39 | 7 |
| Western Cape | 31 | 17 |
| Total | 1 501 | 1 370 |
Source: Department of Agriculture, FMD outbreak report, 30 September 2026. The figures cover outbreak events included in the DoA’s WOAH reporting.
The Free State has recorded the highest number of officially closed outbreaks at 634, while 163 remain open.
North West has also made progress in resolving outbreaks, with 329 closed and 143 still open.
Gauteng has 136 unresolved outbreaks, while Mpumalanga has 123 and Limpopo 99.
Even provinces with comparatively fewer cases remain affected. The Northern Cape has 39 open outbreaks, while the Western Cape has 31.
Different strains complicate disease control
The DoA’s epidemiological investigation also illustrates how the virus has spread between provinces over several years.
An FMD outbreak in East London, Eastern Cape, in 2024 was linked to the May 2021 SAT2 outbreak in KwaZulu-Natal.
During 2025, the same virus was implicated in outbreaks in Mpumalanga, Gauteng, North West, and the Free State.
The SAT1 strain presents an additional challenge.
A SAT1 strain identified in KwaZulu-Natal in February 2025 was found to be similar to a virus previously identified in the northern Kruger National Park area. However, the DoA reported that the route of introduction remains unknown.
A different strain of SAT1 was identified in Gauteng in October 2025 and subsequently isolated from outbreaks in all the other provinces. According to the report, this strain differs from the SAT1 strain identified in KwaZulu-Natal last year.
Changes to quarantine rules help close outbreaks
One of the more encouraging developments in the report is the substantial number of outbreaks that have been officially resolved.
The DoA attributes this partly to amendments to the 2024 FMD Contingency Plan, with updated control measures published in the Government Gazette on 7 July 2026.
These changes introduced additional options for lifting quarantines and resolving outbreaks, including controlled slaughter, vaccination, and the retention of animals under specified conditions.
Previously infected properties may now qualify for the lifting of quarantine after the required disease-free observation period, depending on how the animals are managed.
For dairy farms, breeding operations, and clusters of communal dipping tanks where animals are retained, quarantine may be lifted if no clinical signs of FMD are observed for at least 42 days after the officially determined Day Zero. This date is established by the supervising state veterinarian based on clinical examinations of all cloven-hoofed animals on the property. It marks the point at which the premises are considered clinically resolved.
Controlled slaughter is another option available to farmers who wish to remove animals from affected properties while maintaining some economic activity.
However, strict conditions apply, including the absence of obvious viral circulation for at least 14 days before Day Zero is established, the use of approved slaughter procedures, and the safe disposal or processing of potentially infectious material.
Meat produced through controlled slaughter may be sold on the domestic market, but exports are permitted only where specifically agreed to by the importing country.
The DoA stated that the amended measures had contributed to the high number of outbreaks resolved and closed compared with previous reports.
Vaccination and traceability are still essential
The report confirms that vaccination remains an important part of South Africa’s disease-control strategy.
State veterinary services continue to vaccinate susceptible animals on infected and suspected properties, as well as animals in high-risk areas.
Private veterinarians may be authorised to assist, while private individuals and entities may also undertake voluntary vaccination, provided they comply with the applicable legal requirements. These include the necessary authorisation, notification, and reporting to state veterinary services.
The DoA also emphasises the importance of individual animal identification and traceability. All cloven-hoofed livestock vaccinated against FMD, infected with the disease, or suspected of being infected must be individually identified and recorded in a database providing lifelong traceability.
This requirement remains particularly relevant as the livestock industry attempts to restore normal animal movements and rebuild confidence in disease-control measures.
