The state veterinary services confirmed this morning (5 March 2026) a positive laboratory test result for the suspected foot-and-mouth-disease (FMD) case detected on a farm in the Swartland last week. Although the positive result was only received today, the farm in question was already placed under quarantine by the state veterinary services last week when the case was first suspected, and all necessary precautionary measures were implemented.
Biosecurity measures and quarantine zones are in place to prevent the spread of the disease to neighbouring farms. The vaccination effort is being coordinated by the Western Cape Department: Veterinary Services. Twenty thousand doses of the vaccine have been booked out to the region and are being administered with the assistance of private veterinarians. To date, almost 14 000 animals have been vaccinated. The vaccination drive is prioritising dairy farms within an 11 km radius of the affected farm. Beef-producing farms in the vicinity have also applied and been approved for vaccination.
As more vaccines become available, the vaccination drive will be extended to additional farms in the area, focusing especially on the many dairy farms in the Swartland.
The state veterinary technicians will also continue to monitor and work closely with farmers on smallholdings and with owners of smaller livestock, like sheep and goats, to prevent the spread of the disease. Currently, there have been no additional suspected cases of FMD reported in the Swartland.
Swartland Municipality continues to provide support to the Western Cape Department of Agriculture and Western Cape Disaster Management to help prevent the spread of the disease. FMD remains a state-controlled disease. It is, however, essential that all stakeholders give their full cooperation in the implementation and enforcement of biosecurity measures. We urge all stakeholders to continue to share information and educate others about FMD and its impact, to help prevent the spread of the disease.
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