The Free State has reported one new clinically confirmed foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) case in the Fauresmith state veterinary area, bringing its stated provincial total to 799 cases. Of these, 155 remain active and under quarantine, while 644 have been classified as resolved.
The figures were released by the Free State Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs on 25 September 2026. The department said the properties associated with resolved cases had met the prescribed requirements for quarantine to be lifted after disease control measures were completed.
Cases have been confirmed in 19 local municipalities. The Kroonstad state veterinary area has recorded the highest number in the department’s breakdown, with 126 cases, followed by Heilbron with 97, Frankfort with 81 and Bethlehem with 75.
The department said 1 658 490 cattle had received their first vaccination through the province’s implementation of the national risk-based vaccination strategy, using Biogénesis Bagó and Dollvet vaccines. A further 5 895 cattle had been vaccinated by farmers, bringing the reported total to 1 664 385.
Vaccination is being prioritised on infected premises, neighbouring farms, epidemiologically linked properties and other areas identified as high risk through veterinary assessments.
The department said applications for vaccination remained open, but limited vaccine availability meant it could not accommodate every request during the initial phases of the programme. It encouraged farmers to keep submitting requests to help plan future allocations.
Farmers’ vaccination notifications
The department has received 128 notifications through the National FMD Reporting System from farmers intending to vaccinate their cattle. These notifications are separate from the number of cattle already vaccinated by farmers.
Kroonstad accounted for 32 notifications, followed by Ladybrand with 18, Bultfontein with 15 and Bloemfontein/Thaba Nchu with 11. The department recorded no notifications in the Qwa-Qwa state veterinary area.
Farmers who wish to vaccinate their own herds may apply through the reporting system to become authorised persons, the department said. Once authorised, they may procure vaccines, notify the department of their intention to vaccinate and submit vaccination records in accordance with the prescribed process.
The department also expressed concern that some livestock owners were failing to report suspected FMD cases. It said suspected cases must be reported to the nearest state veterinary office on the day they are identified so that officials can investigate and implement control measures.
It urged livestock owners to isolate affected animals, prevent movement from affected premises and maintain records of animal identification, vaccinations and movements. Animals may be moved from quarantined premises only with written permission from the state veterinarian and the required documentation, the department said.
The department reminded auctioneers, feedlots and other livestock industry participants that the national FMD control measures published on 8 July also apply to them.
