FMD may no longer be headline news, but 1 501 outbreaks remain unresolved
Despite a decline in media coverage, South Africa continues to struggle with over 1,500 unresolved outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease. The Department of Agriculture reports that while many outbreaks are contained, quarantine procedures remain active across several provinces.
Why it matters
The persistence of FMD outbreaks threatens livestock production and agricultural stability in South Africa, impacting both local farmers and international trade.
Although foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has largely disappeared from national news headlines, 1 501 outbreaks remain officially open, according to the latest government report.
A cow displays lesions and inflammation on its tongue, as well as excessive salivation – all clinical signs associated with foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). According to the Department of Agriculture’s latest FMD outbreak report, 1 501 FMD outbreaks associated with unresolved events remained open as at 30 September 2026. Image: Department of Agriculture - ADVERTISEMENT - The Department of Agriculture’s (DoA) latest FMD outbreak report, dated 30 September 2026, lists 2 871 individual outbreaks across South Africa. Of these, 1 370 have been reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) as resolved and closed, while 1 501 remain open.
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