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The South African Pork Producers’ Organisation (SAPPO) has confirmed six cases of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in commercial piggeries. According to Dr Thandi Chiappero, head of consumer assurance at SAPPO, three of the cases are in KwaZulu-Natal — one near Pietermaritzburg and two in the Bergville area – while two cases are located close to one another in the Ventersdorp area of North West. The oldest case, reported in late November 2025, is in Sasolburg in the northwestern Free State.
Dr Chiappero says there are also unconfirmed reports of suspected FMD cases in pigs in some rural communities. State veterinarians have submitted samples from these areas, but at the time of writing she had not yet received any confirmed results.
Strain involved and current situation
FMD is a controlled, notifiable disease under the Animal Diseases Act (Act 35 of 1984), requiring producers to immediately report suspected cases to both private and state veterinarians. Once reported, state veterinary services implement control measures, including quarantine, restricted animal movement under red-cross permits, controlled slaughter at designated abattoirs, and the regulated disposal of high-risk materials such as heads, trotters and offal.
Dr Chiappero was able to confirm that the strain identified at the Sasolburg piggery is SAT 1. The strains involved in the remaining cases have not yet been confirmed due to laboratory capacity constraints. Diagnostic services are under severe pressure, with strain identification underway at the heavily overloaded ARC Onderstepoort Veterinary Research (OVR) Institute laboratory.
Dr Chiappero said no mass culling is taking place at quarantined sites. Instead, controlled slaughter is being conducted in unaffected housing units on affected farms, which remain under quarantine. Only clinically healthy pigs may leave these sites, and then only to designated, approved abattoirs for FMD-related slaughter.
She explained that strict control measures apply, including deboning and meat maturation. “It isn’t possible to test every pig before slaughter, as animals may still be in the incubation period without showing clinical signs.” These measures are therefore essential in reducing risk. Carcasses are sent to deboning plants and undergo a maturation process that lowers meat pH levels, which is known to significantly reduce the amount of virus present.
Not linked to milk
Concerns are growing as to how the virus is reaching high-biosecurity farms. However, Dr Chiappero confirmed that the current cases are not linked to pigs being fed dairy products contaminated with FMD.
“Our farmers feed a balanced ration, mainly maize, and do not feed waste to their pigs.” While some piggeries use limited dairy products as a feed ingredient, the affected farms are not among those. She added that transmission from warthogs or wild pigs can also be ruled out, as these animals cannot access commercial piggeries. All six affected piggeries remain under quarantine, as no vaccine is currently available. She said the authorities are currently unable to determine Day Zero — the reference point used to calculate when quarantine can be lifted — which is usually based on the day of vaccination or the last clinical case.
Another concern is that FMD might be spread by wild birds. However, this rumour remains unproven and is merely speculative at this stage, said Dr Peter Evans, head veterinarian of Red Meat Industry Services’ operational centre. AgriOrbit spoke to him on Tuesday during the Ruminant Veterinarian Association of South Africa (RuVasa) workshop on FMD in Polokwane, Limpopo. Dr Dave Midgley, CEO of RuVasa, confirmed as much during a panel discussion later in the day.
Mortality rates in newborn piglets
Dr Chiappero says severe clinical signs of FMD have been reported in some of the affected piggeries, particularly in newborn piglets. “The worst symptoms lasted about two weeks, during which many piglets in their first week of life were lost.” Mortality rates are highest for one to two weeks, after which surviving piglets generally recover, although impacts vary between farms.
Other signs include severe lesions on the feet and snouts, especially around the coronary bands. These symptoms are mainly seen in sows, and piglets born to affected sows are most at risk. In severe cases, sows have lost their claws due to painful foot lesions, and must be culled.
Vaccination and availability
Dr Chiappero confirms that FMD vaccines for pigs exist internationally. In fact, two of the vaccines that the minister of agriculture has approved for import into South Africa – one from Biogenesis Bagó and one from Dollvet – are registered for use in pigs. Both vaccines will require testing upon arrival in South Africa, and pigs will be included in those trials before its broader use is approved.
The water-based vaccine from the Botswana Vaccine Institute (BVI) currently used in cattle, she said, is not registered for pigs and cannot be used because it causes tissue necrosis.
Due to strong biosecurity on commercial pig farms, widespread vaccination is not being planned. “Because pigs are farmed indoors with controlled access and fencing, vaccination will only be done in response to outbreaks, not as a routine measure.”
Dr Chiappero urged farmers to maintain strict biosecurity and stay alert for outbreaks in cattle and other livestock nearby. She stressed the importance of controlling everything and everyone entering piggeries, and managing staff movement to reduce the risk of introducing the virus. In rural areas where pig farms are located close to cattle, she said simple measures such as changing boots before entering piggery facilities and maintaining good relations with neighbours, can help reduce risk. – Christal-Lize Muller, Plaas Media
For more information contact SAPPO at 012 100 3035 or info@sappo.co.za
