Free State hit by confirmed foot and mouth disease outbreak

The Department of Agriculture has confirmed a new Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak in the Free State, following the detection of a latest case on a commercial farm in Moqhaka Local Municipality, within the Kroonstad State Veterinary area.

Veterinary authorities placed the farm under quarantine on 8 July 2025, and lab results confirmed the outbreak by 10 July.

Traceback Begins, Nearby Farms Monitored

The department immediately implemented control measures, including surveillance, livestock vaccination, and containment protocols.

Investigators began traceback efforts to pinpoint the source of the infection. At the same time, they are monitoring farms within a 10-kilometre radius of the affected area to evaluate any potential spread.

Rising National Case Numbers

As of July 2025, South Africa has recorded 270 outbreaks of FMD across five provinces. Authorities report that 249 outbreaks remain active, while they have resolved only 21.

KwaZulu-Natal remains the hardest hit, with authorities reporting 191 outbreaks, 172 of which are still active.

In the Eastern Cape, officials have recorded 40 outbreaks, resolving two, with no new cases reported since September 2024.

Gauteng has confirmed 32 cases since May 2025, while North West currently has four active outbreaks, and Mpumalanga has recorded three cases so far.

The Department of Agriculture has called on farmers and stakeholders to fully cooperate with veterinary teams as investigations and containment efforts continue.