Photo: Facebook | National Department of Agriculture
The outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the Eastern Cape and Limpopo provinces have been successfully contained. This was confirmed by the National Department of Agriculture in a statement on Friday, resulting in the lifting of their disease management areas (DMAs).
However, the DMA in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) remains in place, as there are still signs of active virus circulation in parts of the province.
Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen confirmed the decision: “I am pleased to announce that we have decided to lift the foot-and-mouth disease management areas in the Eastern Cape and Limpopo after intensified efforts by the Veterinary Services were successful in containing the spread of FMD in the two provinces.”
Speaking to Farmer’s Weekly, Dipepeneneng Serage, deputy director-general for Agricultural Production, Biosecurity and Natural Resources Management, said, while progress has been made nationally, KZN continues to battle the virus.
“The department confirmed that outbreaks have been detected both within and outside the current DMA, necessitating the continuation of movement restrictions,” he said.
According to the statement, to contain the spread, a designated abattoir in the Vryheid area has been approved to slaughter animals from FMD-restricted premises under strict biosecurity protocols. Additionally, a farm-level biosecurity assessment system is being implemented to tailor control measures based on individual risk.
In the Eastern Cape, in the Kouga and Kou-Kamma local municipalities, the DMA had been in place since 26 July 2024.
“More than 144 000 vaccinations were administered, with the last reported case occurring in September 2024. Surveillance has confirmed the absence of further infection, enabling the department to lift movement restrictions,” the statement read.
The department has also revised its milk policy, stating that milk from quarantined farms may now be released into the local market following single pasteurisation, instead of the previously required double pasteurisation, due to the low risk of active infection.
In Limpopo, the outbreak was concentrated in the Vhembe District Municipality, where a DMA had been in place since September 2022.
“Two rounds of vaccinations were carried out at 34 dip tanks, with a total of 23 024 cattle vaccinated. Extensive serological surveillance concluded that there is no longer evidence of FMD virus in the area,” the department said.
The lifting of the Eastern Cape and Limpopo DMAs took effect immediately, following publication in the Government Gazette.
Steenhuisen urged all South Africans to play an active role in maintaining the country’s biosecurity: “Biosecurity is not just a farming concern, but a shared responsibility of every individual in South Africa. We call on all citizens, especially those interacting with livestock or moving between rural areas, to consistently adhere to all biosecurity measures.
“Only through our collective efforts can we safeguard our agricultural sector, make sure livelihoods are protected and ensure we keep our areas FMD-free.”
