Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in South Africa: What Farmers Need to Know in 2025

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals—especially cattle, sheep, goats and pigs. It spreads fast via animal movements, contaminated vehicles and equipment, people, feed, and even wind over short distances. In South Africa, FMD is a controlled disease under the Animal Diseases Act, which means suspected cases must be reported immediately to the State Veterinarian.

The Situation in South Africa (Updated 2025)

As at 14 July 2025, the government reported 270 outbreaks across five provinces, with KwaZulu-Natal the most affected. Eastern Cape recorded 40 outbreaks (38 active at the time), and national authorities have implemented movement controls and vaccination in affected areas. The Department has also procured ~900,000 vaccine doses to bolster response capacity.

DALRRD (the national department) issues regular FMD technical and follow-up reports detailing control zones (free, protection and infected zones), active outbreaks and surveillance updates. Farmers trading animals or products across provinces should check the latest maps and notices before moving stock.

How to Recognise FMD: Key Clinical Signs

Early detection limits spread. Typical signs include:

• Fever, depression and a sudden drop in milk yield.
• Excessive salivation, drooling and frothy strings of saliva.
• Blisters (vesicles) and sores on the tongue, gums, dental pad, lips, teats and interdigital spaces/coronary band.
• Lameness, reluctance to move, and sometimes hoof lesions or sloughing.
• Young animals may show sudden weakness or even die from heart lesions without obvious mouth blisters.

Note: Infected animals can incubate the virus for up to 14–21 days before showing signs, so apparently healthy movements can still spread disease.

Practical Farm Biosecurity: Prevention That Works

1. Know your risk and your neighbours’ status. Check official updates and local advisories before buying, selling or moving animals.
2. Quarantine all new or returning animals (including show/sale returns) for at least 2 weeks; monitor daily for mouth lesions, salivation and lameness. Keep quarantine pens down-wind and down-stream of your herd.
3. Control farm access. Limit visitors; keep a visitor log; provide disinfectant footbaths and clean boots. Disinfect vehicles, trailers, crushes, dosing guns and equipment before entry and before leaving.
4. Separate species and cohorts. Avoid mixing young stock, small stock and cattle; manage contact points such as shared water or grazing.
5. Source safely. Buy from reputable suppliers with known health status; insist on traceability and movement paperwork.
6. Feed and waste hygiene. Keep feed stores secure; dispose of waste milk/afterbirths safely; deny access to scavengers.

About vaccination: In South Africa, FMD vaccination is tightly regulated and used strategically inside control zones and outbreaks. Do not vaccinate without veterinary authority; improper vaccination can complicate surveillance and trade. Always follow DALRRD/state vet instructions for your area.

If You Suspect FMD: What To Do Immediately

• Isolate the animal(s) and stop all movements of animals, people, vehicles and equipment on/off the farm.
• Call your local State Veterinarian at once (see contact section below). Reporting is a legal requirement.
• Record animal IDs, recent visitors, recent purchases/sales, and any movements (animals, feed, vehicles) in the past 3 weeks.
• Follow biosecurity instructions from veterinary authorities for sampling, cleaning and disinfection.

What Not To Do

• Do not move suspect animals to auctions, neighbours or other camps. Movement spreads the virus.
• Do not attempt to treat mouth lesions yourself or “hide” symptoms—this delays official control and increases losses.
• Do not vaccinate on your own initiative; vaccination is controlled and must be authorised for your area.
• Do not allow visitors or vehicles into the suspect area; stop milk/meat movements until cleared.

Who To Contact (South Africa)

• Your local State Veterinarian (provincial veterinary services).
  Western Cape farmers can use the Elsenburg directory for State Vet offices; other provinces have equivalent directories via their provincial Departments of Agriculture or DALRRD.
  
• DALRRD (National) — follow official FMD outbreak updates and movement notices on the Department’s site before moving animals or products.
  
• Media/Enquiries (national) — official spokespeople and media lines are listed on gov.za releases and DALRRD notices if you need formal guidance for events, shows or auctions.

Trade, Movement and Control Zones

South Africa maintains FMD control zones (free, protection, infected). Movement protocols and permits can change during outbreaks. Always consult the latest VPNs, control-zone maps and notices before transporting animals, hides/skins, milk or meat. Non-compliance can result in penalties and further spread.

Bottom Line for Farmers

• Keep FMD front-of-mind during purchases, shows, communal grazing and dry-season feedlotting.
• Quarantine, disinfect, and document—every time.
• Report early, cooperate fully, and follow State Vet/DALRRD instructions to protect your herd, neighbours and markets.