The Botswana Vaccine Institute (BVI) still has 77 000 doses of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine available. Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS), and the Milk Producers’ Organisation (MPO) are now working together to get this vaccine into South Africa as quickly as possible.

By Alani Janeke, senior journalist at African Farming and Landbouweekblad

RMIS has become aware of two more possible FMD outbreaks, one in Kokstad, KwaZulu-Natal, and another in Cullinan, Gauteng. Blood samples have been taken and sent away for testing. Both cases fall outside existing disease-management areas.

Dewald Olivier, CEO of RMIS, says the tracing platform and the MPO agreed they needed to act swiftly to secure the vaccine, particularly because of the lengthy procedures government has to follow before they can be imported. These doses have a sell-by date of 31 December 2025.

That does not mean the vaccine becomes unusable after that date. If the cold chain is maintained, it can still be used afterwards. It simply means that if the BVI does not sell these doses by 31 December they will dispose of them.

The MPO is involved because of the significant impact FMD can have on dairy cattle.

Olivier says they have already made contact with the BVI and are waiting for feedback and invoices so that payment can be processed.

Also read: Additional 70 000 foot-and-mouth vaccine doses available for South Africa

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Olivier adds that according to recent feedback from the ministerial FMD task team, vaccinating the country’s entire cloven-hoofed livestock population is being considered as part of the long-term strategy. He explains that this will need further discussion, especially regarding where such a campaign should begin.

He says measures to control animal movement will also need to be put in place, but alternative arrangements should be considered for producers who follow the rules. “Movement control is, however, absolutely critical,” he emphasises.

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