KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) is grappling with a severe and persistent Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak that has been described as part of the "worst livestock farming disaster" in South African history.
Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a severe, highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, deer, giraffes, llamas, alpacas, water buffalo and other cloven-hoofed ruminants. Ruminants are herbivorous mammals, which have specialized, multi-chambered stomachs that allow them to digest tough, fibrous plants. It’s a transboundary animal disease (TAD) which spreads rapidly. Animals can be infected by contaminated farming equipment, vehicles, clothing, and feed, and by domestic and wild predators. It is extremely difficult to contain and eradicate. Accepted methods include vaccination, strict monitoring, trade restrictions, quarantines, and the culling of both infected and healthy (uninfected) animals
𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘂𝘀 (𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲)
• Epicentre: KZN remains the hardest-hit province, with over 180 unresolved outbreaks as of late 2025 and 2026.
- Recent Spread: New cases were confirmed Ladysmith, Winterton, and Estcourt. Suspected in commercial piggeries in the Winterton/Bergville district.
- Highly Affected Areas: Dundee, Dannhauser, Newcastle, Alfred Duma, Okhahlamba, uMshwathi, eDumbe, and eMadlangeni.
- Virus Strains: The province is dealing with both SAT1 and SAT2 strains, complicating control efforts.
𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁
• Dairy Crisis: KZN’s dairy sector produces roughly 30% of the nation's milk. Outbreak is threatening national food security.
- Pork Industry Risk: Concern that suspected cases in KZN’s commercial piggeries will result in high mortality rates in suckling piglets.
- Public activities: Piggly Wiggly parkrun and others have been suspended indefinitely to prevent the spread of the virus through human and vehicle movement.
- Vaccination: A nationwide campaign planned for February 2026 to target all cattle. Currently, is primarily reactive due to vaccine shortages.
Note on Human Health: FMD in livestock is not the same as Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) in humans. FMD does not pose a threat to human health. Meat from restricted areas remains safe for consumption if processed at designated abattoirs.
Farmers have set up spraying points at the entry points into our town, and we urge everyone to do their part and get their vehicles sprayed.
There are spray points at the Curry's Post / Karkloof turnoff and at TWK.
*Source of some copy unknown but acknowledged with thanks
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