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A health officer checks cattle in a farm as a preventive measure against foot and mouth at a farm in Indonesia.
Foot and mouth disease cases in the Free State have increased with 29 new confirmed infections, bringing the total to 223.
The provincial Department of Agriculture says multiple outbreak areas have been identified, prompting strict quarantine measures and movement restrictions on farms near affected zones.
Officials have also reported suspected cases in parts of the Xhariep District, with surveillance underway.
The department has secured 130 000 vaccine doses and warns that failure to comply with biosecurity regulations could speed up the spread of the disease.
Farmers are urged to limit animal movement, follow strict biosecurity measures, and report any suspected cases immediately.
Authorities say cooperation is critical to contain the outbreak and protect the province’s livestock sector.
Meanwhile, in a briefing last week, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen unveiled a 10 year strategy to combat foot and mouth disease.
The strategy includes vaccination to protect the national herd.
Steenhuisen says there are vaccines currently circulating in the country while 1 million doses are ready to be supplied by international partners within two weeks, once necessary permits are issued.
VIDEO | Steenhuisen has unveiled a 10 year strategy to combat foot and mouth disease:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8r1CWzlTqY
-Report by Lebohang Motshweneng
