Free State records two new foot-and-mouth disease cases

Two new clinically confirmed foot-and-mouth disease cases have been recorded in the Free State, in the Bultfontein and Welkom state veterinary areas.

Provincial Agriculture Department spokesperson Moliehi Moeng told SABC News the new detections brought the province’s recorded total to 798 cases.

More than one million cattle vaccinated

Of the total, 634 cases have been resolved while 164 remain active and under quarantine, according to the department.

The department said more than one million cattle in the Free State had been vaccinated as part of the national control strategy. Vaccination, quarantine and movement controls are being used to contain transmission.

Livestock owners have been asked to report suspected cases immediately and comply with biosecurity measures and restrictions on animal movements.

Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious viral illness affecting cloven-hoofed animals. Outbreak controls can disrupt livestock movements, auctions and trade even though the disease does not ordinarily pose a food-safety risk to people.

The latest figures show most recorded provincial cases have been resolved, but the 164 active cases remain subject to official controls.