FMD Emergency:Lesufi, Ramokgopa Announce Rapid Response to Foot‑and‑Mouth Disease Affecting 261,000 Animals

Johannesburg – Gauteng leaders have sprung into action against a serious outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease that has hit farms hard, affecting over 261,000 animals and threatening jobs and trade in the province.

Premier Panyaza Lesufi and MEC for Agriculture Vuyiswa Ramokgopa held a media briefing on Tuesday, 27 January 2026, to lay out a plan to stop the disease from spreading further. With 195 confirmed outbreaks and more than 6,100 cases reported so far, the government has rolled out vaccinations and tighter controls on moving animals. This quick move aims to protect farmers and the economy, but it also shows how fast such diseases can cause big problems for everyday people who rely on meat and dairy. As families and businesses feel the pinch, the hope is that these steps will bring things back to normal soon.

The Outbreak’s Scale: Thousands of Animals at Risk

The Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak in Gauteng has grown quickly, with officials confirming 195 spots where the virus has hit. An estimated 261,726 animals – mostly cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs – are affected, facing painful sores in their mouths and on their feet that make eating and walking hard. This not only hurts the animals but stops farms from working properly, leading to lost milk, meat, and money for farmers.

The disease spreads easily through contact, like when animals share food or water, or even on clothes and vehicles that move between farms. In Gauteng, a busy province with many small and big farms, this has made control tough. Lesufi warned that without fast action, the outbreak could disrupt trade, as countries often ban imports from areas with FMD to protect their own animals. This could mean job losses for workers in slaughterhouses, dairies, and transport, hitting families who count on these wages for basics like food and school fees.

For someone trying to understand FMD, it is a virus that does not harm humans but wrecks livestock industries. Past outbreaks in South Africa, like the one in Limpopo in 2019 that cost millions to fix, show how one sick animal can start a chain reaction. In this case, the rapid spread across Gauteng farms calls for everyone – from big companies to backyard keepers – to watch for signs like limping or drooling and report them right away.

Government’s Rapid Response: Vaccinations and Movement Controls

To fight back, the Gauteng team has launched a province-wide plan that puts safety first. They have already given out 286,857 vaccines in high-risk zones, focusing on areas where the disease is most likely to spread. This preventative step aims to build immunity in healthy animals before the virus reaches them, a key way to slow outbreaks.

On top of that, stricter rules on moving animals have kicked in. Farmers now need special permits to transport livestock, and checks at borders and markets have ramped up to catch any sick ones early. Lesufi said this “rapid response approach” lines up with the national strategy, working with vets and experts to track and contain the virus. The government has also set aside funds for testing and support, helping farmers who lose animals get back on their feet.

These measures build on lessons from earlier outbreaks. For example, in 2021, a KwaZulu-Natal FMD crisis led to export bans that hurt the beef industry for months. By acting fast now, Gauteng hopes to avoid that fate, keeping markets open and prices stable for shoppers. But success depends on everyone pitching in – reporting sick animals and following rules to stop the spread.

Economic and Social Fallout: Jobs and Food Security at Stake

The outbreak’s reach goes beyond farms, threatening the province’s economy. Gauteng’s livestock sector supports thousands of jobs, from herders to butchers, and feeds into bigger chains like supermarkets and exports. Lesufi highlighted how disruptions could lead to higher prices for meat and dairy, squeezing family budgets already tight from rising costs.

Small farmers, often in rural spots, face the biggest risks. Many lack insurance or backups, so losing herds means starting over from scratch. In areas like Tshwane and Sedibeng, where farming mixes with city life, the disease could spread to backyard animals, hitting poor households who keep goats or cows for extra income or food.

On a brighter note, the response includes help for affected farmers, like low-cost vaccines and advice from extension officers. Community groups have stepped up too, offering feed for quarantined animals and support for workers laid off during shutdowns. This team effort shows how disasters can bring people together, but it also calls for long-term fixes like better biosecurity on farms to prevent future outbreaks.

Past Outbreaks and Lessons Learned: Building a Stronger Defence

South Africa has battled FMD before, with major hits in 2000 and 2011 that cost billions in lost trade and culls. Those events led to stricter rules, like zoning farms by risk and quick reporting systems. In Gauteng, this knowledge has shaped the current plan, with teams using tech like apps to track cases and drones to check remote areas.

Climate change adds to the worry, as warmer weather and floods can help viruses spread faster. Experts say investing in research for better vaccines and training for farmers is key to staying ahead. The national Department of Agriculture has joined the fight, providing experts and funds to back Gauteng’s efforts.
For families, this means watching for updates on meat safety and supporting local farmers hit hard. As the outbreak eases with these interventions, the hope is for a quick recovery that keeps food on tables and jobs secure.

Community Support and Future Prevention: United Against the Virus

As Gauteng fights on, communities play a big role. Farmers are urged to vaccinate herds and limit visitors to stop the spread. Schools and churches spread the word on signs of FMD, helping everyone stay alert. Aid groups provide basics for displaced workers, while vets offer free checks in high-risk spots.
Looking ahead, Lesufi and Ramokgopa call for stronger partnerships with national bodies to build disease-free zones that boost exports. This could mean more jobs in safe farming and better prices for all. With everyone’s help, Gauteng can beat this outbreak and come out stronger, protecting animals and people for years to come.

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