Foot-and-Mouth Disease Disinformation Mimics COVID-19 Pandemic Playbook

South Africa’s agricultural sector is grappling with a troubling convergence of disease and disinformation as foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks across the country trigger a wave of false remedies and conspiracy theories among farming communities.

The spread of unverified treatments and misinformation, primarily through voice notes and social media, bears striking similarities to patterns observed during the Covid-19 pandemic. Agricultural officials report that farmers increasingly share unproven remedies and explanations for the disease through informal networks, complicating official containment efforts.

Foot-and-mouth disease, a highly contagious viral infection affecting cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, sheep, and pigs, has seen multiple outbreaks across South Africa’s agricultural regions in recent years. The disease causes fever and painful blisters on the mouth and feet of infected animals, leading to severe economic consequences for farmers through reduced productivity and trade restrictions.

According to veterinary authorities, recent outbreaks have been particularly difficult to manage due to the parallel spread of misinformation. Dr. Nkululeko Nkosi, a state veterinarian in Limpopo Province, explained that many farmers are turning to unverified treatments before contacting authorities.

“We’re seeing cases where farmers administer home remedies based on voice notes they’ve received, delaying proper reporting and allowing the disease to spread further,” said Nkosi. “Some believe in remedies ranging from household disinfectants to traditional herbs, none of which have scientific backing for treating foot-and-mouth disease.”

The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development has identified clusters of misinformation particularly prevalent in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, and the Eastern Cape, where smaller-scale and communal farming operations dominate. These areas have historically faced challenges with disease surveillance and biosecurity measures.

Agricultural economists estimate that the current foot-and-mouth situation, complicated by misinformation, could cost the sector over R2 billion in lost export opportunities and production. South Africa’s red meat industry, valued at approximately R80 billion annually, faces particular risk from these outbreaks.

Dr. Thapelo Msimanga of the Red Meat Producers Association notes concerning parallels with the Covid-19 information landscape. “Just as we saw with hydroxychloroquine or ivermectin during Covid, we’re now seeing unverified treatments spreading through farming networks. There are even conspiracy theories about the government or large corporations deliberately introducing the disease to control small-scale farmers.”

Digital media analysts have identified patterns in how this misinformation spreads. Voice notes, which lend an air of authenticity and personal connection, appear to be the preferred medium. These recordings typically feature individuals claiming insider knowledge about treatments or conspiracies regarding the origin of outbreaks.

The government has responded by intensifying its communication efforts in affected areas. Vaccination campaigns, movement controls, and biosecurity measures remain the scientifically proven approaches to containing foot-and-mouth disease. Officials are also working with agricultural extension officers to counter misinformation at community level.

Dr. Lerato Mofokeng, an epidemiologist specializing in animal diseases at the University of Pretoria, emphasized the importance of community-based information campaigns. “What we learned from Covid is that simply presenting facts isn’t enough. We need to understand the underlying concerns that make farmers susceptible to misinformation and address those specifically.”

Industry associations have partnered with provincial agricultural departments to establish hotlines where farmers can verify information and report suspected cases. These initiatives aim to create trustworthy information channels to counter the spread of misinformation.

As containment efforts continue, authorities stress that early reporting of suspected cases remains critical to preventing wider outbreaks. Experts warn that failure to properly manage the current situation could have lasting impacts on South Africa’s agricultural sector, potentially affecting food security and rural livelihoods beyond immediate economic losses.

For South Africa’s farming communities, the dual challenge of combating both a viral disease and viral misinformation represents a significant test of resilience and information literacy in an increasingly connected rural landscape.