North West has vaccinated more than one million cattle against Foot-and-Mouth Disease, strengthening livestock protection and advancing efforts to contain the outbreak province-wide.
The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has reached a major milestone in its Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) response, vaccinating more than one million cattle as part of a national campaign to contain the disease and protect South Africa’s livestock sector.
The mass vaccination programme began in early March 2026 and, as of 19 July, a total of 1,032,615 cattle had been vaccinated across the province, making North West one of the leading provinces implementing the national FMD vaccination programme.
MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Madoda Sambatha said the province has achieved approximately 74% vaccination coverage of its estimated cattle population and remains on track to reach its target of 80% by the end of August 2026, a critical threshold for establishing herd immunity.
Sambatha praised veterinary professionals, animal health technicians and support staff for their dedication throughout the campaign. He also thanked livestock farmers, organised agriculture, Veterinary Services and industry stakeholders for supporting the province’s efforts.
“Reaching more than one million vaccinated cattle is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the commitment, professionalism, and hard work of our veterinary teams, who have worked tirelessly across all four districts of the province,” said Sambatha.
“This milestone brings us closer to our goal of vaccinating at least 80% of the provincial herd by the end of August and, ultimately, every eligible animal in the province.”
The MEC cautioned that the campaign has entered a critical stage and urged farmers and officials to remain vigilant.
“This is not the finish line; it is an important step in a much longer journey towards controlling and eventually eradicating the disease,” he said.
Sambatha explained that once the first round of vaccinations is completed, veterinary teams will return to administer a second dose to ensure animals receive full protection against the disease.
Vaccination activities continue in affected and high-risk areas as the department works to maximise coverage. Farmers have been encouraged to maintain strict biosecurity measures and ensure all eligible animals are presented for vaccination.
The department said it remains committed to working with livestock farmers, organised agriculture, traditional leaders and industry stakeholders to protect animal health, strengthen the agricultural economy and safeguard the future of the province’s livestock industry.
