Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak under control in Western Cape

SOUTH AFRICA – The Western Cape Department of Agriculture has confirmed that the recent Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak detected at a feedlot in Gouda, in the Cape Winelands, is being successfully managed and contained.

Swift and decisive action by veterinary authorities, in collaboration with industry partners and law enforcement, has ensured that the outbreak remains confined to the index property, with no evidence of further spread.

The affected farm in Gouda remains under strict quarantine. All cattle on the property have been vaccinated, tagged, and branded in accordance with the Animal Diseases Act, 1984.

Clinical inspections and laboratory tests confirm that no new clinical signs have been observed since 14 November 2025, an indication that the outbreak is under control.

Inspections conducted on farms in Velddrif and Bredasdorp revealed no clinical signs of FMD; laboratory tests from Velddrif returned negative results, while results from Bredasdorp are pending.

All properties within a 10 km radius of the Gouda farm have been placed under monitored quarantine, and samples from these farms have been submitted for testing. Three farms displayed suspicious lesions, but all were subsequently confirmed negative.

Veterinary teams are tracing farms associated with the implicated transport company over the past 30 days.

Minister Ivan Meyer stated, “I want to assure the people of the Western Cape that this outbreak is under control. Our veterinary teams acted swiftly and decisively to contain the disease, and we are confident that the measures in place are working.

“Accountability is a non-negotiable. Those who flouted the law will face consequences. Together, we will protect our province’s livestock economy and maintain the integrity of our agricultural sector, which is vital to our economy and growth for the Western Cape Government’s Growth for Jobs Strategy.”

Enforcement operations remain active across the province to ensure full compliance with emergency biosecurity protocols. Should any additional cases be detected, containment zones, vaccination, and quarantine measures will be introduced in line with national policy.

Preparations are underway to register a designated abattoir for the controlled slaughter of affected animals, enabling the lifting of quarantine measures once depopulation is complete.

Investigations into the source of the outbreak are ongoing, and legal consequences will follow for any breaches of movement protocols.

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