Siteki — Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has now been confirmed in pigs, the first recorded cross-species infection in the country and prompting urgent action from the Ministry of Agriculture.
According to the Week 22 national FMD report (November 3–7, 2025), four samples taken from three-month-old pigs at a Mpaka piggery tested positive for FMD using NSP ELISA and showed lesions consistent with the disease. The samples are being sent to BVI for virus typing.The ministry described the development as critical, triggering an immediate revision of slaughter procedures and the drafting of a new standard operating procedure for slaughtering pen-kept pigs in the Mpaka/Matsatsa outbreak zone. A pilot slaughter movement plan for Shiselweni pigs is scheduled for Week 23.
Despite booster vaccination efforts in the Lubulini/Mambane outbreak zones, cases persist at Ncephu and Mtibalati Dip Tanks. New suspected infections have also emerged in Shiselweni at Ntongane Dip Tank, located at the edge of the vaccinated zone and believed to be linked to the Ntjanini outbreak. Ntongane and its contact dip tank, Mpakeni, were immediately vaccinated.
Illegal livestock movements continue to complicate containment efforts. The ministry reported that police intercepted a bovine carcass smuggled from Gamula to Manzini, confiscating it at the Mafutseni Game 5 checkpoint. The carcass was destroyed, and those involved were arrested. Additionally, fifteen cattle imported from South Africa were released back to their owner after a E2 000 fine was paid, while other illegal movements were recorded at Mahamba and Sigcineni.
Seven dip tanks reported new suspected FMD cases during the week, including Ntongane (Mkhwakhweni), Magomba, Mahhaleni, Mtibalati, Fobobo and Ntibane (Mpaka/Matsatsa), as well as Sibhoteleini (Siteki 2).
The ministry administered 21 353 cattle vaccinations during the week as part of cumulative vaccination efforts.
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