Hartenbos dairy farm in Mossel Bay quarantined due to FMD outbreak

A dairy farm in Hartenbos in Mossel Bay in the Western Cape has been put under quarantine following confirmation that cattle there tested positive for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).
This was announced in a joint statement by Western Cape Agriculture, the Western Cape Government and the Garden Route District Municipality.
The State Veterinarian leading the foot-and-mouth disease response in the Garden Route, Dr Leana Janse van Rensburg, says livestock on two farms adjacent to the index farm are also showing lesions.
She says samples have been collected from these premises and test results are expected later this week.
She says livestock at farms where lesions have been noted will be vaccinated to prevent the further spread of FMD and to limit the viral load, possibly present in suspect herds.
[Media Statement]
Minister John Steenhuisen, has appointed Dr Gary Bauer to formally represent the wildlife sector on the Ministerial Task Team overseeing South Africa’s response tothe current Foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak.Dr Bauer was nominated by the South African… pic.twitter.com/rCnMJJKT64
— National Department of Agriculture (@DOAgov_ZA) February 11, 2026
