South Africa lost its foot-and-mouth-disease-free status in 2019, but is now fighting a severe outbreak that emerged in 2021 and shows no signs of easing.
Eight out of the country’s nine provinces have reported outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease, as has neighboring Zimbabwe, which is desperately trying to limit further spread. There are also fresh concerns from neighboring Botswana, where cattle farming forms the backbone of its agricultural sector.
Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture in Botswana have issued strict guidelines about cattle imports and exports. They’re also urging farmers to lock up their cattle at night to prevent them mixing with Zimbabwean cattle roaming in the wild.
Some wild animals, including buffalo, are also carriers of foot-and-mouth disease. A number of programs are underway to monitor their movements and any outbreaks.
Tens of thousands of affected cattle in South Africa have been slaughtered to date, both those that were confirmed as foot-and-mouth-disease carriers, and others in the same herds. Back in June 2025 three of South Africa’s largest commercial cattle feedlots, operated by Karan Beef, tested positive for foot-and-mouth disease. That placed about160,000 head of cattle under immediate control measures.
A multi-million dollar vaccination program has been initiated across the country by the South African government in a further bid to try and contain the deadly disease. Plans are in place to vaccinate the entire herd in South Africa, starting with the areas with the most severe outbreaks. The goal is to vaccinate 100 percent of dairy cattle and feedlot cattle, 90 percent of commercial cattle and 80 percent of communal cattle.
South African Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, outlined the government’s action plan.
“Since losing our foot-and-mouth-disease-free status in 2019, our farmers have faced unprecedented challenges,” he said. “I have received many pleas for help, from commercial to communal farmers, who have borne the heavy burden of the recent foot-and-mouth-disease outbreaks in the country.
“I must be frank with the nation. Achieving (foot-and-mouth-disease)-free status is a monumental task that will not happen overnight. Our strategy will be phased over 10 years, beginning with stabilization and consolidation, before moving toward the eventual withdrawal of vaccination and final recognition of national freedom through vaccination by the World Organisation for Animal Health.
“This is a long-term commitment to the health of our economy and the security of our food supply. I need to emphasize that vaccination is not a silver bullet to eradicate or manage this disease. It’s merely one of the tools that can and should be used to combat (foot-and-mouth disease).”
About 2 million cattle have already been vaccinated. The government is increasing its efforts with further mass vaccinations planned for the hardest-hit provinces of KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Free State and North West. Vaccinations will be repeated within three months to protect feedlots, dairy herds, and commercial and communal livestock.
Supplies of vaccines are running out but another 1 million doses are due to arrive in the coming weeks and a further 5 million doses by March 2026. Local vaccine production has been increased, with other supplies coming in from Botswana and Turkey.
What is Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD)? Where Does It Come From? Why Does the Government Control It? And Can Cattle Heal From It?
The disease was eradicated in the United States in 1929. The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers resources to prevent its spread into this country.
“Because foot-and-mouth disease occurs in many parts of the world, there’s always a chance it could be reintroduced into the United States,” according to the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. “(The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) continuously monitors for (foot-and-mouth disease) worldwide. Our veterinarians stationed overseas help other countries control and eradicate the disease, which reduces the risk of it spreading to the United States.
“At ports of entry, we work with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection to screen cargo and prevent travelers from bringing any products of concern into the United States. We restrict or prohibit imports of many animals and animal byproducts from areas known to be affected with (foot-and-mouth disease). We also work with the U.S. Armed Forces to make sure military vehicles and equipment are properly cleaned and disinfected before they return to the United States from international duty.
“Across the country, (the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) and other Federal, State and Tribal animal-health officials work with accredited veterinarians to monitor domestic livestock for the disease. We have response plans in place that we can quickly activate if the disease is found in the United States.”
Chris McCullough
This is an original article written for Agri-View, a Lee Enterprises agricultural publication based in Madison, Wisconsin.
With 20 years experience behind him, award-winning agricultural journalist Chris McCullough is always on the hunt for his next story. He grew up on the family dairy farm in the heart of Northern Ireland and is based on the country’s east coast. He travels around the world to bring readers international news.
What is foot-and-mouth disease?
From the USDA-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
There are seven known types and more than 60 subtypes of the foot-and-mouth-disease virus, meaning immunity to one type doesn’t protect animals against other types or subtypes. The first signs of illness usually appear within two to 14 days after infection. There are numerous symptoms to watch for.
• Fever – large increase in temperature for two to three days
• Blisters and vesicles – Blisters can develop on the tongue and lips, in and around the mouth, on the mammary glands and around the hooves. They rupture and discharge clear or cloudy fluid.
• Erosions – When blisters pop, they leave raw, eroded areas surrounded by ragged fragments of loose tissue.
• Excess saliva – Infected animals may have sticky, foamy and stringy saliva.
• Loss of appetite – Painful tongue and mouth blisters may lead animals to eat less.
• Lameness and a reluctance to move or stand
• Abortions – Animals can experience spontaneous abortions and sterility.
• Milk – Dairy cows may have reduced milk production.
• Heart disease and death – These symptoms are especially prevalent in newborn animals.
Foot-and-mouth disease may be confused with other diseases that produce blisters, including vesicular stomatitis, bluetongue, bovine viral diarrhea, foot rot in cattle and swine vesicular disease. The only way to tell if the blisters are caused by the foot-and-mouth-disease virus is through laboratory testing. If you observe mouth or feet blisters in your animals, report them immediately so that they can be tested.
