The shortage of vaccines remains one of the greatest frustrations in managing foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in South Africa. The Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS) is however satisfied with the government’s support to secure additional vaccine supplies, including from other countries.

By Alani Janeke, senior journalist at African Farming and Landbouweekblad

Dr Peter Evans, veterinarian at the RMIS, who is also a member of the ministerial task team, says they are encouraged by government’s support to potentially source vaccines from other countries. Options being considered include a DIVA-type vaccine from Turkey, as well as manufacturers in South America.

Brazil was declared FMD-free without vaccination earlier this year by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) after the country followed a vaccination campaign for many years. Two regional zones in Argentina were also declared FMD-free without vaccination earlier this year.

The Botswana Vaccine Institute (BVI) has confirmed to the national Department of Agriculture that it has the capacity to supply vaccine from January at a rate of one million doses per month, the department announced in a statement on 18 December.

These doses will assist the country in implementing its mass vaccination programme from the beginning of 2026 in a strategic, phased manner. The programme will start in areas with the highest risk and later be expanded to lower-risk areas.

In February, vaccinations will begin in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng targeting feedlots as well as commercial and communal farmers. Vaccinations will then be rolled out to Limpopo and Mpumalanga, followed by North West and the Eastern Cape.

Also read: Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) remains active in seven provinces

The department says the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) is also on track with the establishment of a medium-scale vaccine manufacturing facility. While fundraising for the main plant continues, the ARC aims to produce 20,000 multivalent vaccine doses (which can be used against several strains of the disease) by the fourth quarter of the 2025–26 financial year. By the first and/or second quarter of the 2026–27 financial year, between 150,000 and 200,000 doses will be produced.

In addition, the diagnostic capacity of Onderstepoort’s veterinary laboratory will be increased through the appointment of additional veterinary technologists.

The task team is also investigating the use of other laboratories to relieve pressure on the Onderstepoort laboratory. Diagnostic kits and vaccines will be imported as and when required.

Also read: Steenhuisen outlines timeline for national foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) plan

According to Evans, the virus spread much faster this year than expected. This accelerated spread is attributed to animals continuing to move despite movement restrictions imposed in areas where the virus is present.

Evans says although the virus may potentially spread within an area when humidity levels exceed 80% and there is wind, there is as yet no specific evidence to confirm this.

“I am more concerned about the possibility that the virus could be spread via farmworkers’ work clothing, when they visit other farms wearing those clothes, than I am about windborne spread. The virus can survive on clothing for up to five days, particularly if saliva or manure from infected animals is present on the clothing.”