Foot-and-Mouth Disease spreads to Mossel Bay: Garden Route on high alert

Update

AGRICULTURE NEWS - Authorities have confirmed a new case of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) on a farm in the Mossel Bay area, bringing the total number of officially infected sites in the region to seven.

As the outbreak evolves, the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), Western Cape Government, and Agri Western Cape have intensified containment efforts.

While one suspected site was cleared following negative test results, five others remain under investigation.

The fight to contain the spread

Dr. Leana Janse van Rensburg, the local State Veterinarian, emphasized a "three-pillar" strategy to halt the virus: movement control, strict biosecurity and aggressive vaccination.

Vaccination Drive: Over 18 000 have been vaccinated across 111 farms. Efforts are now shifting toward dairy farms near George and those surrounding the Gondwana Private Game Reserve due to the presence of buffalo, which can carry the virus.
Police Presence: Eleven vehicle checkpoints (seven permanent and four roaming) are currently monitoring the quarantine zones. However, officials noted that local police and traffic departments are stretched thin while they wait for South African National Defence Force (SANDF) support.
Event Restrictions: Gerhard Otto, Head of Disaster Management, confirmed that no public events will be allowed within quarantine areas. Approved events elsewhere must follow strict biosecurity protocols.

Road closures and access

To prevent the virus from "hitching a ride" on tires or shoes, several provincial roads are being closed to the general public.

Who is affected? Motorists and cyclists are barred from these routes.
Who can pass? Local residents will still have access to their properties.
How to apply: Requests for road closures must be sent to [email protected] for approval by a joint task force of engineers and law enforcement.

Why vaccination matters

Agriculture officials clarified that while the vaccine may not always prevent infection entirely, it is a vital tool. Vaccinated animals that are exposed to FMD suffer milder symptoms, develop fewer sores, and recover much faster, reducing the overall "viral load" in the environment.

The rollout is currently moving through high-priority phases, starting with herds within 3km of infected sites and moving toward high-risk commonage and dairy farms.