Foot-and-Mouth Disease situation worsens, Cabinet to consider Disaster Status

Platinum Bushvelder newspaper | Thabazimbi – South Africa is continuing to grapple with a serious outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) — a highly contagious viral infection that affects cloven-hoofed livestock such as cattle, sheep, goats and pigs. Although the disease does not pose a direct health risk to people, its impact on the agricultural sector, livestock producers and the broader economy remains profound.

WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW
As of mid-January 2026, FMD has been spreading through multiple livestock populations across several provinces. Recent reports indicate that the outbreak has intensified to crisis proportions, prompting government and industry leaders to consider extraordinary measures to contain and control it. 

At a media briefing on 14 January 2026, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen outlined the government’s response strategy and signalled intentions to accelerate a national vaccination programme aimed at controlling the spread of the disease. This briefing underscored the importance of coordinated action among veterinary services, provincial authorities and farmers to protect animal health and trade. 

NATIONAL DISASTER DECLARATION IN THE WORKS
On 17 January 2026, Minister Steenhuisen announced that he would ask Cabinet to declare the FMD outbreak a national disaster — a move designed to unlock greater resources, tighten livestock movement controls and strengthen cooperation with law enforcement to curb the disease’s spread. “This disaster declaration will allow faster responses, tighter movement controls and better cooperation from law enforcement agencies,” he stated. 

Such a declaration would give authorities expanded powers to enforce quarantine zones, support vaccination drives and ensure that containment measures are implemented swiftly.

IMPACT ON LIVESTOCK AND FARMERS
Foot-and-Mouth Disease spreads rapidly among susceptible animals and can devastate herds. While adult animals seldom die from FMD, infected livestock develop fever, painful sores, and lameness, sometimes forcing farmers to humanely euthanise herds to prevent suffering and further contagion. The disease affects pigs as well as cattle — complicating management efforts. In some regions, existing vaccines for cattle cannot safely be used in pigs due to severe side effects, leaving parts of the pork industry without effective immunological protection. 

Agricultural organisations and farming groups have described the situation as “out of control” and urged faster rollout of vaccines, better private-sector involvement and more transparent communication from government leadership. 

COMMUNITY PRECAUTIONS AND EFFORTS
Movement of livestock remains one of the primary drivers of FMD spread. Authorities are urging farmers and livestock owners to strictly adhere to movement controls, quarantine procedures and biosecurity protocols — including reporting any suspicious symptoms immediately to state veterinarians. 

In response to ongoing risks, several agricultural events and livestock shows have opted to exclude all cloven-hoofed animals to reduce transmission potential. This precaution underscores how pervasive the outbreak remains across the industry. 

For now, farmers and livestock owners are encouraged to stay informed through official channels, maintain strict biosecurity practices, and work with veterinary services to safeguard animal health.

Photo: Boere vanuit die hele Thabazimbi-omgewing het op Donderdag 15 Januarie 2026 by Makoppa se Boeresaal bymekaargekom om die ernstige Bek- en Klouseer-situasie te bespreek. Meer as 250 boere was teenwoordig. Inligting is aan boere oorgedra deur verskeie professionele kundiges, waaronder Dr Ampie Viljoen en Dr Louis Greef. Die gebrek aan voldoende ondersteuning en daadwerklike optrede vanuit die regering bly ’n groot bron van kommer. As gevolg hiervan het boere, sowel as rolspelers in die wild- en veebedryf, besluit om self verantwoordelikheid te neem en proaktief op te tree om die verspreiding van Bek- en Klouseer in die omgewing te beperk. Samewerking met die groter Matlabas Plaaswag-inisiatief is bespreek, insluitend die oprigting van sanitasie-stasies, verbeterde bio-sekuriteitsmaatreëls en die deel van self-beveiligingsinligting met boere op hul plase. Daar is ook besluit om die onwettige vervoer en verskuiwing van gesplete-hoef diere streng te monitor en aan te meld. Streng optrede sal volg teen enige persone wat diere onwettig vervoer of nie die voorgeskrewe Bek- en Klouseer-prosedures nakom nie.