AGRICULTURAL NEWS - The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Multi-Agency Command Centre has confirmed that the spread of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in the region remains stable, with no new confirmed cases reported in the latest update issued on 31 March.
The number of officially confirmed FMD-affected farms in the Mossel Bay municipal area remains at seven. One suspected site is still awaiting test results, reflecting a slight decrease in suspected cases, while 17 tests have returned negative results.
Vaccination efforts continue to gain momentum, with 188 farms now vaccinated - an increase of 27 since the previous update. A total of 44 216 vaccine doses have been administered to date, marking a significant rise of 4 812.
According to a joint statement by the GRDM, the Western Cape Government and Agri Western Cape, approximately 33% of all cattle in the Western Cape have now been vaccinated. The Garden Route region alone is home to an estimated 141 850 cattle.
A network of 11 vehicle control points - seven static and four roaming -remains in place around the quarantined area to limit the movement of livestock and reduce the risk of further spread.
Currently, 29 private veterinarians across the province are authorised to administer FMD vaccines, with an additional batch of vaccines expected to arrive next week.
Authorities have reiterated procedures for road closures in affected areas. Applications to close provincial roads must be submitted to the relevant authorities, and while residents will retain access, general traffic and cyclists will be restricted. These decisions are coordinated between disaster management teams, provincial road engineers, law enforcement, and local municipalities.
Key administrative processes, including monitoring, testing, and vaccination coordination, remain ongoing as part of a broader containment strategy, according to the statement.
Residents and farmers are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases to the Garden Route Emergency Call Centre or via WhatsApp. Dedicated hotlines from provincial and national agricultural departments are also available to provide support and information.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.
‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
