Agriculture on Foot and Mouth disease in KwaZulu-Natal province

The outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in KwaZulu-Natal have not been successfully contained, with new cases recently detected in the Newcastle area. The disease has now spread beyond the initial Disease Management Area (DMA) declared in 2021, when outbreaks of the SAT2 FMD strain first emerged in the province.

To curb further spread of the virus, the Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen has taken the decision to extend the boundaries of the DMA. This measure aims to control the movement of cloven-hoofed animals (cattle, sheep, and goats) and their derived products in affected areas. No cloven-hoofed animals, their products, or genetic material may be moved from, to, or within the DMA unless authorised by a state veterinary permit and in full compliance with the stipulated conditions of such permit.

The map hereunder shows the boundaries of the March 2025 DMA.

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The updated DMA boundaries will be officially declared in the Government Gazette in the coming days. The extended DMA will now include the following municipalities:

Entirely included municipalities:

• Big Five Hlabisa Local Municipality
• Mtubatuba Local Municipality
• Nongoma Local Municipality
• Ulundi Local Municipality
• Umhlabuyalingana Local Municipality
• Jozini Local Municipality
• Pongola Local Municipality
• Abaqulusi Local Municipality
• Mfolozi Local Municipality
• uMhlathuze Local Municipality
• Mthonjaneni Local Municipality
• Nqutu Local Municipality
• Nkandla Local Municipality
• uMlalazi Local Municipality
• Mandeni Local Municipality

Partially included municipalities (specific portions covered by the DMA):

• Emadlangeni: South of R34 from R33
• Newcastle: South of R34 up to and east of N11
• Dannhauser: East of N11 and north of R68
• Endumeni: North of R68 and east of R33
• Msinga: East of R33
• UMvoti: East of R33 up to R74 and north of R74
• Maphumulo: Northeast of R74
• Ndwedwe: East of R74
• KwaDukuza: Northeast of R74 up to the N2 and west to the N2 up to Mandeni

National movement control measures

The Department reiterates that movement control measures, originally declared in October 2022, remain in place nationwide, and these control measures have been included again in the new Government Gazette notice.

These measures require that:

• Any movement of cattle, sheep, or goats must be accompanied by an owner declaration confirming the animals’ origin and health status.
• The recipient of the animals at the destination must provide a signed undertaking ensuring the animals will be isolated for at least 28 days before integration with the main herd.

Responsibility of livestock owners

Section 11 of the Animal Diseases Act, 1984 (Act No. 35 of 1984), places a legal obligation on all animal owners and farm managers to take all reasonable steps to prevent their animals from becoming infected and to prevent the spread of diseases. Essential biosecurity measures include:

• Limiting or postponing the introduction of new animals onto farms.
• Only introducing animals from known, disease-free sources with a valid health declaration.
• Preventing direct contact between farm animals and those outside the farm.
• Maintaining secure farm boundaries and restricting access to livestock areas.
• Minimizing human and vehicle access to farms, with proper disinfection protocols in place.

Reporting and control measures

Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is classified as a controlled animal disease under the Animal Diseases Act, 1984 (Act No. 35 of 1984), which mandates specific control measures, such as isolation and movement restrictions, enforced by Veterinary Services.

Any suspicious clinical symptoms, such as salivation, blisters in the mouth, limping, or hoof lesions, should be reported immediately to the local State Veterinarian, and such animals must not be moved under any circumstances.

For enquiries: 
Ms Joylene van Wyk 
Spokesperson Ministry of Agriculture 
E-mail: JoyleneV@nda.agric.za 
Cell: 27 63 298 5661

Ms Sara-Lea van Eeden 
Spokesperson on FMD: Ministry of Agriculture 
Cell: +27 83 446 6109

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