The Department of Agriculture in eMalahleni recently hosted a Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) awareness campaign to educate the community more about the highly contagious viral disease affecting livestock.

Held on January 27 at the Piet Koornhof Building, the campaign was aimed at raising awareness about the disease since it is said to be a trade sensitive disease and has a severe negative impact on the economy of South Africa.

According to Simon Shabangu, an animal health technician from the department who spoke at the event, FMD is caused by a virus found in animal body fluids such as saliva, urine, faeces, and milk.

“Animals can get this disease when eating or breathing in the virus from these body fluids,” he said.

Animals that are said to be prone to the disease include cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, and other cloven-hooved animals including wildlife such as buffalo and antelope.

However, though it is said that people cannot get sick from FMD, the department highlighted that they can still play a major role in transmitting the disease from one animal to another.

“People can also spread the virus by unclean clothing, shoes, hands, and car tyres,” the department said.

READ MORE HERE: eMalahleni residents warned of water discolouration

Below are symptoms to look out for to identify if your livestock could be having FMD:
• Blisters and sores in the mouth (gums, lips, and tongue) are raw and painful, making it difficult for the animal to eat and often causing drooling.
• Blisters and sores between the toes where the hooves join the skin can cause the animal to limp and not want to walk around. Sometimes they may lose their claws or hooves.
• Cows can develop sores on their teats. This results in a sudden drop in milk production.

The department said that although the disease does not kill affected animals, owners still lose money due to the sudden drop in production, which is why farmers need to play a part in ensuring that it doesn’t spread further.

Suggested control measures to stop the spread of the disease include separation of infected animals, vaccination, inspections, and movement controls. However, the department indicated that the vaccine is currently not available, but the processes will start as soon as it becomes available.

Farmers who notice any signs of FMD in their livestock are advised to immediately contact the Animal Health at 012 319 7456.

[Watch🎥] Minister John Steenhuisen provides an update on the new strategy to address Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).#StopFMD #GovZAUpdates @GCISMedia @GovernmentZA @jsteenhuisen pic.twitter.com/GkOWEeh4iZ

— National Department of Agriculture (@DOAgov_ZA) January 29, 2026 

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