biosecurity

South Africa’s FF Plus calls for stronger controls to contain FMD

(Photo credit: Bayer) The Freedom Front Plus has urged authorities to strengthen measures to protect areas that remain free of foot-and-mouth disease, warning that outbreaks are disrupting livestock markets. FF Plus member Wynand Boshoff says the movement of infected animals must be strictly prohibited and that proper documentation proving disease-free status is essential. He identified provincial borders and auction pens as key control points in preventing further spread. Boshoff added […]

27 January, 2026

South Africa

South Africa’s foot and mouth disease cases climb to 223

(Photo by: Reuters) Foot-and-mouth disease infections have risen sharply in South Africa’s Free State province, with authorities confirming 29 new cases that push the total to 223. The spike has intensified pressure on agricultural officials as they work to contain the outbreak in one of the country’s key livestock regions. The provincial Department of Agriculture says multiple outbreak zones have been identified, triggering strict quarantines and movement controls on affected […]

20 January, 2026

Environment

Bird flu: what is it, how does it spread and how can we protect ourselves from it?

By Daniel Oladimeji Oluwayelu, University of Ibadan There has been an outbreak of H5N1 bird flu in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso’s capital. The viral disease, also called avian influenza, killed 441 chickens out of a flock of 641 on a farm. There have been several outbreaks bird flu across Africa over the past 18 years. Nigeria was the first African country to report an outbreak in February 2006. […]

25 March, 2024