South Africa has vaccinated millions of livestock, expanded vaccine supplies and strengthened regional partnerships as efforts intensify to contain Foot and Mouth Disease.
South Africa has significantly expanded its response to Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), with Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen confirming that 13.5 million vaccine doses have been procured since February and nearly 4.4 million animals vaccinated nationwide. The programme represents the largest vaccine acquisition effort ever undertaken by the South African state.
“Since February this year, South Africa has procured 13.5 million doses of Foot and Mouth Disease vaccine and as of the 28th May, we have vaccinated just under 4.4 million animals across the country,” said Steenhuisen.
He added: “This is the largest vaccine acquisition programme ever undertaken by the South African state.”
The vaccination campaign received a significant boost last week with the arrival of 3.5 million additional vaccine doses, which will be distributed to industry organisations, provinces and border regions to accelerate disease control efforts.
Government has also secured regulatory approval for the importation of a further 14 million vaccine doses, with the first shipment of four million doses expected to arrive this month. The expanded vaccine pipeline will support booster vaccination programmes and strengthen long-term disease management efforts.
To date, government has invested approximately R494 million in vaccine procurement and deployment.
“Protecting the national cattle population, safeguarding jobs, preserving food security and restoring confidence in the livestock economy are national priorities,” said Steenhuisen.
KwaZulu-Natal remains at the centre of the vaccination effort, with more than 1.1 million animals vaccinated. Significant progress has also been recorded in the Eastern Cape, Free State, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Limpopo, North West, Western Cape and Northern Cape.
The Minister acknowledged the challenges many farmers have faced during the outbreak, including movement restrictions, increased feed costs, market uncertainty and financial losses.
“I have spent time with affected farmers across the country. I have listened to their frustrations. I have heard their concerns. I understand their impatience. No one feels the consequences of an outbreak more directly than the farmer whose livelihood depends on healthy animals and functioning markets,” he said.
South Africa has also welcomed a new regional initiative through the Southern African Development Community (SADC) aimed at creating a coordinated framework for Foot and Mouth Disease control. The framework seeks to strengthen surveillance, vaccination cooperation, biosecurity measures and cross-border disease management across the region.
At the same time, diagnostic capacity is being expanded through laboratory upgrades, additional veterinary personnel and enhanced testing capabilities designed to improve disease detection and monitoring.
Alongside disease-control measures, South Africa has been working to maintain and protect export markets. Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong and Kuwait remain open under agreed conditions, while discussions continue with several other strategic markets.
Government and industry are also preparing to launch a Public-Private Biosecurity Model that will formalise cooperation between producers, veterinarians, processors and government institutions.
“The principle is straightforward. Biosecurity cannot be the responsibility of government alone, nor can it be carried by industry alone,” said Steenhuisen. “Protecting South Africa’s agricultural economy requires a durable partnership based on shared responsibility, coordinated action and effective risk management.”
While challenges remain, the Minister said the country is increasingly moving from a reactive approach to a proactive and preventative biosecurity system.
“The war against Foot and Mouth Disease is far from over, but for the first time since this crisis began, South Africa is increasingly setting the pace of the response rather than reacting to the disease,” he said.
He added that government will continue working to build a stronger and more resilient biosecurity system capable of protecting farmers, safeguarding food security, supporting agricultural growth and strengthening rural livelihoods for generations to come.
