10/12/2025
09/12/2025
MEDIA STATEMENT For Immediate Release OUTBREAK OF FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE (FMD) CONFIRMED IN LIMPOPO PROVINCE
The Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development wishes to inform the public, livestock owners, and all stakeholders of confirmed outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in the province.
Three separate incidents have been detected and are currently under active investigation and control by Provincial Veterinary Services.
1. Outbreak Locations
a) Vhembe District – Thulamela Local Municipality – Kubvi / Makonde Villages A case of Foot and Mouth Disease has been confirmed in Kubvi Village, which falls within the High Surveillance Area of the FMD Free Zone. Control measures have been immediately implemented.
b) Vivo Auction Facility – Originating from Alldays (Blouberg Local Municipality) A second outbreak was detected at an auction facility in Vivo in Makhado Local Municipality. Trace-back investigations have confirmed that the affected cattle originated from a property in Alldays. The property and all associated animal movements are under strict veterinary monitoring.
c) Waterberg District- Modimolle- Mookgophong Local Municipality – Leeupoort and Witklip Feedlots A third outbreak has been confirmed in two adjacent feedlots, Leeupoort and Witklip, in the Waterberg District.
Veterinary teams are on site conducting epidemiological investigations and implementing containment protocols.
2. Immediate Control Measures To prevent further spread of the disease, the following actions have been taken:
• All affected farms, feedlots, and linked properties have been placed under quarantine.
• No movement of cloven-hoofed animals, their products, or potentially contaminated materials is allowed.
• Comprehensive epidemiological investigations are currently under way to determine the extent of the outbreak and possible sources of infection.
• The Veterinary Operations Committee (VOC) and the Joint Operations Committee (JOC) have been activated to coordinate and oversee all response actions across districts.
• Vaccination campaigns will be rolled out in identified high-risk areas as part of the strategy to curb the spread of the virus.
3. Advice to Farmers and Communities Livestock owners and communities are urged to:
• Immediately report any signs of FMD such as fever, salivation, lameness, or mouth lesions.
• Cooperate fully with veterinary officials during inspections and vaccination campaigns.
• Refrain from moving cattle, goats, sheep, or pigs without explicit permission from the State Veterinary Services.
• Ensure strict biosecurity measures on their properties, including limiting visitors and disinfecting all vehicles and equipment.
4. Commitment of the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development(LDARD) will be working closely with national Department of Agriculture(DOA) authorities, local municipalities, industry stakeholders, traditional leadership and law enforcement to swiftly contain the outbreak.
Continuous updates will be provided as investigations progress. Foot and Mouth Disease does not pose a risk to human health, but it has serious economic implications for farmers and the livestock sector. The cooperation of all stakeholders is essential to bring this outbreak under control.
Issued by: Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Directorate:
Veterinary Services Date: 09/12/2025
