From 166 cases to 6: How Gauteng turned the tide on foot-and-mouth disease

Between October 2025 and January 2026, Gauteng documented 166 new Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreaks, but that number plummeted to just six between June and August 2026, reported the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD). The significant decline followed the implementation of the Gauteng Provincial FMD Rapid Response Approach, spearheaded by MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Vuyiswa Ramokgopa, and supported by the provincial government through additional field staff, vaccination initiatives, and rigorous disease control measures.

EC Ramokgopa expressed satisfaction with the progress, crediting farmers and livestock keepers for their cooperation. She emphasized that a 96% reduction in new outbreaks is a substantial accomplishment and a testament to the effectiveness of their collective efforts. However, Ramokgopa warned that complacency could be perilous. "FMD remains a serious threat, and we must maintain high vaccination coverage, robust biosecurity, and vigilant disease surveillance," she cautioned.

Vaccination emerged as a critical component of the response strategy. GDARD revealed that between February and August 2026, 542,577 animals were vaccinated across Gauteng. This included cattle in feedlots, dairy farms, communal herds, and commercial beef herds. Notably, 94% of the cattle herd outside feedlots received an initial FMD vaccination, surpassing the target of 80% coverage necessary to establish strong herd immunity.

Furthermore, all cattle on Gauteng's dairy farms were administered a second booster vaccination, according to the department.

The province also made strides in clearing infected herds. Of the 308 herds confirmed infected with FMD since April 2025, 176, or 57%, had been released from quarantine by August 2026 following clinical inspections that detected no evidence of the circulating virus. GDARD credited the improvements to a synchronized effort combining vaccination, surveillance, movement controls, biosecurity, and close cooperation between government officials and livestock farmers.

However, GDARD urged all livestock owners to continue practicing stringent biosecurity measures and to monitor their animals closely. The department also advised farmers to promptly report any suspected FMD cases to their local State Veterinarian. GDARD stressed that while the progress achieved thus far is significant, it is not yet complete, and the threat of FMD remains a serious concern.