The Western Cape agricultural sector is on high alert following official confirmation that Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) has been detected at a dairy farm near Hartenbos in Mossel Bay. The announcement, released by the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Multi-Agency Command Centre on 11 February 2026, marks a significant escalation in the province’s efforts to contain the highly contagious viral disease.
Lab Confirmation and New Suspected Cases
Dr Leana Janse van Rensburg, the State Veterinarian leading the response, confirmed that laboratory test results for the index farm—the first dairy farm identified with the disease in the area—have returned positive. This property is now under strict official quarantine.
However, the threat appears to be spreading beyond the initial site. “Livestock on two farms adjacent to the index farm are already showing lesions,” Dr Janse van Rensburg noted. Samples from these neighboring premises have been collected, with results expected later this week. In a proactive move, authorities will issue provisional quarantine notices to all farms within a 10km radius starting Thursday, 12 February.
To manage the viral load and prevent further spread, the Department of Agriculture has confirmed that livestock at farms where lesions have been noted will be vaccinated immediately.
Strict Containment Protocols
The response team is adhering to rigorous biosecurity protocols to prevent cross-contamination. Most notably, once the State Veterinarian and her team visit a farm where suspect lesions are observed, they are prohibited from visiting any other agricultural premises for a minimum period of three days. This precautionary measure is vital to minimize the risk of spreading the virus between properties.
While movement permits have not yet been formally gazetted, a de facto lockdown on livestock movement within the 10km radius is being strictly enforced. Control points, manned 24/7 by law enforcement, have been established around the affected area to ensure compliance. Transporters moving livestock are reminded to carry all legal documentation, including owner declarations, buyer undertakings, and certificates issued under Sections 6 and 8 of the Stock Theft Act.
A Call for Farm-Level Biosecurity
MEC for Agriculture Ivan Meyer and industry bodies like Agri Western Cape have emphasized that the “first line of defense” is the farm gate. Producers are urged to:
Restrict Access: Limit all non-essential visitors and vehicles. Uncontrolled access to farms must not be permitted, and animals must remain within property boundaries.
Road Management: Cattle crossing public roads pose a significant biosecurity risk. Surfaces must be disinfected immediately after crossing to prevent the virus from spreading via tires, manure, or footwear.
Wildlife Warning: Wildlife farms, particularly those with buffalo or other cloven-hoofed species, are warned strictly against accepting cattle mortalities from the index farm or neighboring properties.
Disinfection Guidelines for Producers
The Command Centre has released a list of approved disinfectants. Slaked lime is recommended for soil and kraals, while Soda ash and Caustic soda (handled with extreme care) are effective for concrete floors and equipment. For general use, Virkon S, F10CL, and Household Bleach (3% Sodium hypochlorite) remain effective for hosing down vehicles and sanitizing footwear.
Reporting and Resources
Producers must report all cloven-hoofed animal movements via the Western Cape Government’s online portal. Any signs of sores in the mouth or on the hooves must be reported to the State Veterinarian immediately.
The next official update is expected on 13 February 2026. For more resources, visit the official sites below:
FMD Resource Centre: www.gardenroute.gov.za/document-category/foot-and-mouth-disease/
Animal Movement Reporting: https://tinyurl.com/AnimalMovementApp