The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has confirmed a new case of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Newcastle, Amajuba District.
Laboratory tests conducted on 10 February detected the virus in tissue and blood samples, with further analysis underway to determine whether it is the SAT1 or SAT2 strain.
Newcastle is the fourth district in KwaZulu-Natal affected by the outbreak, following cases in uMkhanyakude, Zululand, and King Cetshwayo.
The latest development has led to the suspension of animal auctions and disrupted beef sales in the region.
Government Response and Control Measures
Veterinary teams have been deployed to the area to carry out vaccinations and implement disease control measures in line with Disease Management Area (DMA) protocols.
Affected dip tanks have been placed under quarantine, and vaccination efforts are ongoing. Law enforcement agencies will monitor roads to prevent the movement of infected animals to other districts.
MEC Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa has emphasised the importance of routine cattle dipping and urged farmers to work closely with the department to contain the outbreak.
Farmers are also required to obtain veterinary permission before moving livestock to prevent further spread.
The department has clarified that the recent hand, foot, and mouth disease outbreak among schoolchildren in Durban is unrelated to foot-and-mouth disease, which only affects cloven-hoofed animals. No cases of FMD have been reported in eThekwini.
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