South Africa's largest beef producer confirms foot-and-mouth disease at its Heidelberg facility

CAPE TOWN - South Africa's largest beef producer has confirmed foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) at its facility in Heidelberg, in Gauteng.

Karan Beef says it remains committed to transparency, compliance and maintaining the highest standards of animal health and welfare.

The World Organisation for Animal Health says FMD is a severe, highly contagious viral disease of livestock that has a significant economic impact.

Karan Beef says following the identification of a suspected infection, the facility was placed under pre-emptive quarantine on Friday, as a precautionary measure.

Foot and Mouth Disease was later confirmed on Monday.

The supplier says the development highlights ongoing risks faced by the livestock industry, even under rigorous control systems.

It's working with the State vet to ensure swift containment and to minimise any further risk to the broader industry.

The disease can affect cattle, swine, sheep, goats and other cloven-hoofed animals, but poses no direct health risk to humans.