Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed livestock like cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats, and wild species like buffalo and antelope.

The disease is caused by the FMD virus, which has seven serotypes: A, O, C, SAT1, SAT2, SAT3, and Asia 1. The SAT1, SAT2 and SAT3 strains are present in South Africa and are generally not deadly, except in cases where animals are raised in intensive systems, such as a dairy or piggery.

Despite a low mortality rate, FMD is a major problem for farmers, as it can cause low growth rates in animals, low fertility, and reduced milk production.

Signs and symptoms

While signs and symptoms of the disease may vary depending on the strain and species infected, general symptoms of infection include fever, a loss of appetite, and lethargy (animals may appear weak or inactive).

Some animals may also present with blisters on the tongue, gums, lips, inner cheeks, and roof of the mouth. These blisters may also appear on teats and between the claws of the animal’s hooves.

Excessive salivation, lameness, a watery nasal discharge, and weight loss are also symptoms of infection.

FMD symptoms usually appear two to 14 days after exposure to the virus. While a clinical diagnosis based on the animal’s presentation can be made by a veterinarian, laboratory tests are required to confirm FMD.

Current situation

In South Africa, FMD is a controlled animal disease under the Animal Diseases Act (No. 35 of 1984).

This means that veterinarians, farmers, farm managers, animal owners, and laboratories are legally required to report the disease to authorities as soon as it is suspected on a farm or in an area.

Once the disease has been reported, a state veterinarian must intervene and test for FMD while the necessary quarantine barriers are implemented.

The World Organisation for Animal Health must also be informed of any suspected or confirmed outbreaks.

According to a statement by the Department of Agriculture released in December 2024, there are ongoing FMD outbreaks in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

The first outbreak in the Eastern Cape was reported in May 2024, and has since affected 37 farms in Humansdorp and one in East London. However, no new cases have been reported there since 19 September 2024.

The first KwaZulu-Natal outbreak was reported in May 2021. Since then, an additional 155 cases have been reported in the province.

Vaccination

There is a vaccine for FMD, but it can only be administered by the state veterinarian and is not available for private purchase. Vaccinations are only administered continuously in the Buffer Zone, an area surrounding Kruger National Park.

Outside of this zone, vaccination is generally done only on farms affected by outbreaks, under the authorisation of the state veterinarian. Animals vaccinated against FMD must be branded with an ‘F’ on their necks to identify them as such.

Email Dr Frikkie Maré at [email protected], or Corine Steyn at [email protected].