Laboratory tests conducted at the University of Pretoria's Veterinary Genetics Laboratory confirmed the presence of African horse sickness virus serotype 7. The affected property is within South Africa's established African Horse Sickness Protection Zone.
The Western Cape Department of Agriculture subsequently confirmed that the case was detected on 27 October 2026 in a mule at Perdekraal, near Clanwilliam, within the established protection zone.
The department said an outbreak containment area had been established in accordance with the Animal Diseases Act, 1984, and the Western Cape Department of Agriculture's AHS contingency plan.
The affected property is approximately 198km from the AHS-free zone and 97km from the surveillance zone. The Western Cape Department of Agriculture said current surveillance information had not identified any spread into either zone, although investigations into the source and extent of the infection are continuing.
Movements within the controlled area ordinarily require a permit issued by State Vet: Boland. However, the department has confirmed that no permits will be issued for moving horses out of the affected area.
The restrictions are intended to limit the movement of potentially exposed equids while investigations and surveillance activities continue.
Veterinary Services, together with authorised veterinarians and industry partners, has begun intensive surveillance, tracing and census activities in and around the affected property.
The provincial department said the response also includes quarantine measures, diagnostic testing and monitoring of the biting midges responsible for transmitting the disease. Veterinary Services is working with the national Department of Agriculture and South African Equine Health and Protocols (SAEHP) on the containment effort.
These activities will help determine the extent of the outbreak and identify any additional cases as early as possible.
Minister of Agriculture Willie Aucamp said the case had been identified through the country's established surveillance systems, allowing authorities to respond quickly and implement containment measures.
“The swift detection of this case in the Cederberg Local Municipality was detected through South Africa’s established surveillance systems, which is a good example of how the veterinary surveillance system in South Africa works,” said Aucamp.
“As a result of such systems, the authorities were able to quickly move to the affected area and take the required stringent actions as stipulated in the Animal Diseases Act and deploy containment protocols.”
The department has urged equine owners in the controlled area to work closely with Veterinary Services, which will be conducting intensive tracking, surveillance and counting activities.
Horse owners and managers are also advised to report immediately any equids displaying signs consistent with AHS. These include unexplained fever, swelling of the head or neck, breathing difficulties or unexpected death.
The department has strongly discouraged vaccination against African horse sickness at this time of year.
The currently registered vaccine is live-attenuated, and the department warned that its use while vectors are present could result in the vaccine strain being spread further by Culicoides midges, potentially exacerbating the situation.
“While there is no proof of large-scale disease activity outside the said property, the department is focused on total vigilance and calls on all horse owners to refrain from AHS vaccination during this period. Veterinary Services will continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates as additional information becomes available,” Aucamp said.
Horse owners are encouraged to continue taking precautions to reduce exposure to Culicoides midges, which transmit African horse sickness.
Recommended measures include:
• Stabling horses, where possible, from two hours before sunset until two hours after sunrise.
• Avoiding low-lying, wet areas.
• Making appropriate use of registered insect repellents and insecticides.
The department said international trade partners would be notified of the outbreak. Further information on international trade would be provided in due course.
Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism Dr Ivan Meyer said protecting the province's AHS-free zone remained a priority because of its importance to the equine industry and international markets.
"The Western Cape's disease-free zone is an important asset for our agricultural economy. Protecting its integrity requires continued vigilance, effective disease control and cooperation between government and the equine industry," Meyer said.
Details of containment measures, movement restrictions and permits will be announced and updated by the Western Cape Department of Agriculture. Information is also available through Veterinary Services and at www.myhorse.org.za.
