South Africa Pork Sector on high alert over foot and mouth disease

South Africa’s pork sector has been placed on heightened alert following the confirmation of foot and mouth disease at a commercial piggery in the Free State, with further suspected cases under investigation in KwaZulu-Natal. Although the number of confirmed outbreaks remains limited, industry organisations warn that infection pressure across livestock systems is exceptionally high, largely due to widespread cases in cattle. Producers have been urged to reinforce biosecurity measures and strengthen coordination across the value chain to limit the risk of further spread, as the disease can cause significant losses, particularly among piglets.

Control measures have been activated, including quarantine of affected premises and the use of designated abattoirs for regulated slaughter under strict risk mitigation protocols. Foot and mouth disease is a notifiable condition under national animal health legislation, requiring immediate reporting and state oversight to determine appropriate containment actions, such as movement restrictions and the controlled disposal of high-risk material. While previous national outbreaks had minimal impact on commercial pig operations, current investigations have reported higher mortality in young pigs in some areas, increasing concern within the sector.

A key challenge for the industry is the absence of an approved foot and mouth disease vaccine for pigs, as locally available vaccines are designed for cattle and are unsuitable for swine. Industry and government stakeholders are assessing options to import pig-specific vaccines used internationally, alongside efforts to ease pressure on diagnostic laboratories. In the interim, producers are intensifying on-farm biosecurity, including strict separation of pigs from cattle, controlled access to facilities, enhanced hygiene protocols, and regular staff training. Coordinated action and rapid response remain critical to containing the disease, protecting animal welfare, and safeguarding the stability of South Africa’s pork supply chain.