The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development hereby informs the public and the entire farming community of twelve (12) new confirmed cases of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in Frankfort (1), Edenville (1), Bothaville (1), Parys (4), Deneysville/Sasolburg (3). Tweeling (1) and Vrede (1). This brings the total number of confirmed cases in the Free State to one hundred eighteen (118).

To date, thirteen (13) distinct outbreak areas have been identified across eight (8) local municipalities:

• Kroonstad outbreak (Moghaka Municipality)- Ten (10) confirmed cases
• Viljoenskroon/ Vredefort outbreak (Moqhaka Municipality) Forty-five (45) confirmed cases
• Edenville outbreak (Ngwathe Municipality) – Five (5) confirmed cases
• Heilbron outbreak (Ngwathe Municipality) – Two (2) confirmed cases
• Parys/ Vredefort outbreak (Ngwathe Municipality) – Nineteen (19) confirmed cases
• Deneysville/ Sasolburg outbreak (Metsimaholo Municipality) – Twenty (20) confirmed cases
• Cornelia/Frankfort outbreak (Mafube Municipality) Nine (9) confirmed cases
• Tweeling outbreak (Mafube Municipality) – One (1) confirmed case
• Vrede outbreak (Phumelela Municipality) – One (1) confirmed cases
• Odendaalsrus outbreak (Matjhabeng Municipality) – One (1) confirmed case
• Bothaville outbreak (Nala Municipality)- Two (2) confirmed cases Marquard outbreak (Setsoto Municipality)- One (1) confirmed case
• Hlohlolwane (Clocolan) outbreak (Setsoto Municipality)- One (1) confirmed case

The Department has prioritised vaccination of the infected farms. Vaccination commenced immediately to assist in reducing the viral load and limiting further circulation of the virus.

Movement restrictions have been implemented on all farms within a 10-kilometre radius of the infected farms. The infected farms have been placed under quarantine, and all farms within this radius have been notified and placed under precautionary quarantine until surveillance is completed to determine any further spread of the disease.

The maps of each area indicate the 10-kilometre radius around confirmed positive case.

The Department urges with farmers, industry partners, and all stakeholders to take hands and work together to stop the spread of this disease. This includes identifying and preventing any illegal movement of animals from areas under surveillance and reporting all suspect cases immediately. Remaining silent will only prolong the outbreaks and delay the process of returning to normal.

The longer surveillance has to continue, the longer precautionary quarantines will remain in place -increasing both the financial impact on farmers and the economic impact on the Free State Province as a whole. With unity, transparency, and cooperation, we can overcome this outbreak and safeguard both our livestock sector and our economy.

In line with Government Gazette No. 51512 of 13 June 2025 and the Animal Diseases Act (Act 35 of 1984), we urge all farmers, auctioneers and speculators to:

• Restrict the movement of cloven-hoofed animals.
• Adhere strictly to biosecurity measures, including disinfection of vehicles and equipment.
• Quarantine any new livestock for 28 days before introduction to existing herds.
• Keep accurate records of all animal movements and visitors to farms.
• Report any suspect cases (including animals showing excessive salivation, mouth lesions, or lameness) immediately to the local State Veterinary Office.

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development reminds all stakeholders that the movement of animals under quarantine without the necessary documentation is a criminal offence. These measures are critical to protect the livestock industry, prevent the spread of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), and safeguard the livelihoods of all farmers in the province. The Department urges full cooperation with quarantine regulations to ensure the successful control and eventual eradication of the outbreak. We can only contain the spread of the disease if we work together and report any suspect cases immediately.