New FMD outbreaks in KZN, Eastern Cape threaten dairy industry

SOUTH AFRICA – New outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and the Eastern Cape have raised alarm bells across South Africa’s dairy sector, prompting urgent calls for stricter biosecurity measures. 

Reported by the Department of Agriculture, the ongoing crisis has hit the country’s milk production hard, with containment efforts intensifying to protect livestock and prevent further economic fallout.

According to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), KZN has recorded 165 FMD outbreaks, with 147 still active, while the Eastern Cape has reported 40 cases, 39 of which remain unresolved. 

The disease, which affects cloven-hoofed animals like cattle, has struck at the heart of South Africa’s dairy regions. 

The Eastern Cape, home to nearly a third of the nation’s dairy herd, is reeling from the impact, with KZN also facing significant losses due to its 29% share of the country’s milk-producing cattle. 

A report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture highlights that the outbreak, first detected in May 2024, has dealt a severe blow to dairy farmers, many of whom rely on milk sales for their livelihoods.

The Department of Agriculture has expanded the Disease Management Area (DMA) in KZN as of March 17, 2025, urging farmers to limit animal movements and comply with health protocols. 

“Full compliance could reduce the viral load within 28 days,” said Ministry spokesperson Joylene Van Wyk, emphasizing the need for collective action. 

In the Eastern Cape, quarantine measures and vaccinations are in full swing, with nearly 97,000 cattle vaccinated since last year. 

Despite these efforts, the discovery of a new outbreak in Bergville, outside KZN’s DMA, has heightened fears of wider spread.

Dairy farmers are feeling the strain as milk production dips and export markets hang in the balance. 

South Africa’s red meat and dairy exports, critical to the economy, face potential bans if the disease isn’t contained. 

The Ministry has stressed that while meat from affected farms is safe for local consumption, certification issues block its export. 

This has left farmers like Eastern Cape dairy producer Sipho Mkhize worried. “We’re losing income daily, and the restrictions make it hard to plan ahead,” he said.

A report from Farmer’s Weekly notes that vaccination campaigns and surveillance continue, particularly near game reserves where buffalo, known FMD carriers, pose a risk. 

The Department commended farmers and veterinarians for their efforts but warned that vigilance remains key. 

With no new cases in the Eastern Cape since September 2024, there’s cautious hope, yet the dairy industry braces for a slow recovery as biosecurity measures tighten nationwide.