For the first time since December last year, the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has recorded no new cases of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the province over the past week.
According to the department, the milestone marks a significant development in the province’s ongoing efforts to contain and curb the spread of the disease.
“This is the first week since December 2025 that the province has recorded no new FMD cases, signalling a positive shift in the province’s fight against the disease. It also provides encouragement that intensified vaccination and disease-control interventions are beginning to yield results,” said department MEC Madoda Sambatha.
The department has been implementing a mass provincial FMD vaccination programme across all four districts and 18 local municipalities as part of the broader national intervention to contain the disease and protect the provincial livestock sector.
The province has so far received more than 1,570,100 doses of FMD vaccines, with 1,413,859 animals vaccinated across the province.
Sambatha welcomed the latest achievement but cautioned against complacency.
“The fact that we have gone a full week without recording a new case of foot-and-mouth disease is encouraging and demonstrates the progress we are making through our collective efforts.
“However, we must remain vigilant. We urge all farmers and livestock owners to continue practising strict biosecurity measures on their farms and to report any suspected cases immediately to veterinary authorities,” said the MEC.
Furthermore, Sambatha emphasised that vaccination remains an important component of the province’s response, but must be complemented by responsible livestock management and adherence to disease-control measures.
