The Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has confirmed three separate outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease across the province, prompting immediate quarantine measures, movement restrictions, and a coordinated emergency response.
Limpopo Veterinary Services is investigating the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks, which were detected in the Vhembe and Waterberg districts and at an auction facility in Makhado Local Municipality.
The first case was confirmed in Khubvi Village near Makonde, an area classified as a High Surveillance Area. Authorities have implemented strict control measures, given the zone’s importance for disease monitoring and trade assurances.
A second infection was detected at the Vivo auction facility. Trace-back investigations linked the infected animals to a property in Alldays in the Blouberg Local Municipality. Both the property and its associated animal movements are under close veterinary scrutiny.
The third outbreak involves two neighbouring commercial feedlots, Leeupoort and Witklip, in the Waterberg District Municipality. Epidemiological teams are currently stationed on-site to determine the extent of infection and enforce containment protocols.
Tight control measures enforced
To stem the further spread of the disease, the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD) has:
- Quarantined all affected farms, feedlots, and linked properties
- Imposed a ban on the movement of cloven-hoofed animals, their products, and any potentially contaminated materials
- Activated the Veterinary Operations Committee and the Joint Operations Committee to coordinate the interdistrict response
- Launched comprehensive epidemiological investigations into the origins and extent of the outbreaks
- Prepared targeted vaccination campaigns for high-risk areas
The LDARD has also called on livestock owners to immediately report clinical signs of FMD – which include fever, excessive salivation, mouth lesions, and lameness – and to avoid any animal movement without explicit permission from state veterinary services.
Producers are further encouraged to tighten biosecurity on their farms by limiting visitors, disinfecting vehicles and equipment, and cooperating with veterinary officials during inspections and vaccination drives.
Authorities commit to swift containment
LDARD spokesperson Pelane Phakgadi confirmed the department is working closely with the national Department of Agriculture, local municipalities, industry bodies, traditional leaders, and law enforcement agencies to bring the situation under control. Regular updates will be issued as the investigations progress.
Dr Dave Midgley, CEO of the Ruminant Veterinary Association of South Africa, said the province swiftly contained an FMD outbreak in 2019 and is confident the team will once again do everything possible to stop and control the spread.
