FMD HOTSPOTS

Free State:

• New confirmed outbreak areas have been reported in the Parys/Vredefort region as well as in Bothaville.
• The quarantine has been lifted at the Karan Beef Deneysville holding station, achieved through a slaughter-out process.
• Initially, no new outbreaks were reported in the Deneysville area; however, this has changed as a dairy farm has now been confirmed positive, and a communal herd is suspected to be infected.

Gauteng

• Five new cases have been reported in Gauteng this week. In total Gauteng has 105 number of FMD Cases reported.
• In addition, a new FMD SAT 1 strain has been identified in one of the outbreaks — whereas the current outbreaks were previously classified as SAT 2. An investigation is underway to determine the possible source of this new strain.
• Morgan Beef has resumed slaughtering operations. Their abattoir has also been approved to slaughter FMD-affected cattle.
• Livestock owners around the Libanon Mine area in the West Rand are urged to strengthen biosecurity protocols on their farms. There are reports of free-grazing cattle testing positive for FMD, with some owners refusing vaccination and hiding infected animals from authorities. These animals are also moving into new grazing areas, increasing the risk of further spread.

KwaZulu-Natal

• Recent cases diagnosed in the Kokstad area amongst 5,000 communal cattle.
• Ministerial Task team met with MPO members in the area of the new cases to discuss the action plan. Pre-emptive vaccination is an option provided vaccines are available

Mpumalanga

• Recent cases diagnosed are in Mkohondo, eMalahleni, and Victor Khanye areas.
• Cases of FMD in Mpumalanga are cluster on the west close to the Gauteng border and a case in a feedlot close to Volksrust.

North West

• Cases are mainly in the Ventersdorp / Potchefstroom/ Orkney areas.

Western Cape

• An isolated case was discovered in the Gouda area of the Western Cape related to the movement of infected animals into the area.
• The isolated case was identified when cattle from the area were transported to the Sparta Feedlot. Upon offloading, lesions were observed on some of the animals.

ABATTOIRS DESIGNATED FOR FMD SLAUGTER

KZN INDABA FEEDBACK

On 30 and 31 October, KwaZulu-Natal successfully hosted a well-attended meeting on FMD – the FMD Ukubambisana. Various stakeholders, including representatives from the Botswana Vaccine Institute, Onderstepoort Biological Products, the livestock industry, and state veterinary services, shared valuable insights on vaccine production and availability, as well as the epidemiology and distribution of FMD in both KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa.

The meeting fostered a strong understanding of the challenges and realities surrounding FMD spread and provided an excellent platform for building networks and developing meaningful, collaborative solutions.

Key points from the Indaba:

• The meeting focused on clarifying protocols for live animal sales and movement within the FMD Disease Management Area, with urgent calls for written guidelines to address confusion and prevent illegal trading.
• Stakeholders discussed the Terminal Feedlot proposal to create a secure, legal market for affected animals, highlighted vaccine shortages impacting dairies, and agreed to streamline risk assessment processes. Improved information sharing and continued education for farmers were emphasised as critical for effective disease control.

ADDRESSING THE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Are Vaccines from Turkey Being Considered for South Africa?

A: Discussions have taken place regarding importing vaccines from Dollvet in Turkey. Engagements are ongoing, with further information expected soon. Currently, vaccine imports are limited to outbreak management & prevention of further spread. The ministerial team is considering broader access for general farming, and South African feedlots and dairies have requested approval for pre-emptive vaccination in high-risk areas.