Demands for animal vaccination as foot and mouth disease cases surge

Cattle in an enclosure.

The Free State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development says vaccination of animals at farms where foot and mouth disease have been recorded has been prioritised. This after 24 new cases were recorded in the province this week, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 118.

WATCH | Foot-and-mouth disease: Steenhuisen pushes for SA to produce its own vaccine

Spokesperson for the Department, Moliehi Moeng, says movement restrictions have been implemented on all farms within a 10 kilometer radius of the affected farms. She says vaccination commenced immediately to help reduce the viral load.

Farmers have been advised to adhere to biosecurity measures including disinfection of vehicles and equipment, also to quarantine new livestock for at least 28 days before introduction to existing herds, and to report suspected cases to the local state veterinary office.

🚨 Major steps to tackle Foot and Mouth Disease taken by Minister of Agriculture, the DA’s John Steenhuisen.

📦 Taking delivery of 2 million doses of FMD vaccines

💉 Vaccinating the entire national herd

🧪 Establishing a new mid-scale vaccine production facility#DAatWork pic.twitter.com/6g8dBYMEBs

— DA Free State (@DAFSNews) November 27, 2025