The Free State Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs on 25 September 2026 confirmed one newly clinically verified case of foot‑and‑mouth disease (FMD) in the Fauresmith state veterinary area, bringing the province's cumulative total to 799 cases.
Current outbreak profile and quarantine status
According to the department's latest figures, 155 of those cases remain active and are under quarantine, while 644 have been classified as resolved after properties completed the required disease‑control measures and met criteria for lifting restrictions.
Cases have been confirmed in 19 local municipalities across the province. The department's area breakdown shows the highest counts in Kroonstad, Heilbron, Frankfort and Bethlehem.
| State veterinary area | Reported cases |
|---|---|
| Kroonstad | 126 |
| Heilbron | 97 |
| Frankfort | 81 |
| Bethlehem | 75 |
Vaccination drive and supply constraints
The department said the provincial vaccination campaign — implemented as part of the national risk‑based vaccination strategy — has so far delivered the first dose to 1 658 490 cattle using vaccines supplied by Biogénesis Bagó and Dollvet. Farmers who carried out vaccinations independently have reported an additional 5 895 cattle vaccinated, taking the reported total to 1 664 385.
Officials said vaccination efforts are being prioritised to protect infected holdings, neighbouring farms, epidemiologically linked properties and other high‑risk areas identified during veterinary assessments. The department cautioned that vaccine availability is limited during the initial phases of the programme and it cannot honour every request immediately, but it urged farmers to continue submitting applications to assist with planning future allocations.
Farmer notifications and provincial response
Through the National FMD Reporting System the department has received 128 separate notifications from farmers expressing their intent to vaccinate. The provincial breakdown indicated that Kroonstad accounted for the largest share, with 32 notifications.
- Total reported FMD cases: 799
- Active cases under quarantine: 155
- Resolved cases: 644
- Cattle vaccinated (first dose): 1 664 385 (province + farmer reports)
What this means for farmers and livestock owners
Quarantine and movement controls remain central to containing FMD. Where an infected or exposed herd has completed prescribed control measures, the department reports that restrictions have been lifted after veterinary confirmation. Farmers are being asked to keep notifying authorities of vaccination intentions and suspected disease so veterinary teams can prioritise vaccine distribution and epidemiological investigations.
The use of approved vaccines and adherence to national risk‑based protocols are critical to the province's disease control plan. The department's statement noted that vaccination applications remain open even though supply constraints may delay immediate fulfilment.
Broader context and next steps
FMD is a highly contagious viral disease that affects cloven‑hoofed animals. In an agricultural province such as the Free State, continued surveillance, rapid reporting and coordinated vaccination are necessary to limit spread and reduce the economic impact on commercial and communal farmers alike. The department's ongoing reporting on case resolution and vaccination numbers will shape resource allocation in the coming weeks.
Producers and stakeholders should monitor updates from the Free State Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs and continue to report suspicious clinical signs in livestock so veterinary authorities can respond swiftly.
