Urgent quarantine in Northern Cape as first suspected Foot and Mouth Disease case emerges
The first suspected outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the Northern Cape has been reported in Kuruman
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A FARM in Kuruman has been placed under quarantine following a possible outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD).
The Red Meat Producers' Organisation Northern Cape operations officer Yolande Botha said they were officially informed of a suspected case of FMD by the Northern Cape Department of Veterinary Services on February 7.
"An animal health technician visited the affected farm later that day. Samples were collected and sent for laboratory testing in Kimberley on February 9."
She added that authorities from the South African Police Service and the State Veterinarian would be present to quarantine the site on Monday to enforce stricter movement controls.
"These actions align with NATJOINTS Instruction 07 of 2026, which governs FMD management. A high-level meeting with the MEC for Agriculture Lebogang Motlhaping, and various agricultural organisations was scheduled on Monday morning to discuss further developments."
Botha urgently appealed to all members to adhere to all protocols to prevent the further spread of the disease including avoiding any unnecessary movement of livestock.
"Biosecurity measures should be enforced on farms without exception. Further updates will be communicated as laboratory results and meeting outcomes become available," Botha said.