A case of African Horse Sickness (AHS) has been confirmed in a horse on a property in the Cederberg Local Municipality.

The Department of Agriculture says laboratory tests have confirmed the presence of the virus, specifically serotype 7.

The affected property falls within South Africa’s established AHS Protection Zone.

An outbreak containment area has been established, with strict movement restrictions now in place. No permits will be issued for horses to be moved out of the affected area.

Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp says the case was detected through the country’s surveillance system, allowing authorities to quickly implement containment measures.

Veterinary Services, together with authorised veterinarians and industry partners, have started intensive surveillance and tracking to establish whether there are any further cases.

Horse owners are urged to remain vigilant and immediately report symptoms such as unexplained fever, swelling of the head or neck, breathing difficulties or unexpected death.

They are also advised to take precautions against the Culicoides midges that spread the disease, including keeping horses stabled from two hours before sunset until two hours after sunrise where possible.

The Department is strongly discouraging AHS vaccination at this time, warning that the live-attenuated vaccine could be spread by midges and potentially worsen the outbreak.

Authorities say there is currently no evidence of widespread disease activity beyond the affected property.