The first approximately 2 600 doses of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine from the Agricultural Research Council will be administered to animals in the communal areas around Humansdorp as planned from Wednesday.

By Alani Janeke, senior journalist at African Farming and Landbouweekblad 

The Milk Producers’ Organisation (MPO) in the Eastern Cape helped ensure that approximately 2 600 doses of the ARC’s first 12 900 doses of foot-and-mouth disease vaccine that became available last week were sent to Humansdorp.

This community is experiencing its second outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. The first outbreak was confirmed on 1 May 2024. The current outbreak is occurring among communal farmers’ animals in the Kruisfontein area near the town.

Daan Human, chairperson of the MPO in the Eastern Cape, says the organisation is part of daily meetings between stakeholders, including those of the Kouga Municipality. The MPO is grateful that the outbreak has so far been limited to the original outbreak point.

“The vaccine is on its way here today, and the vaccinations are scheduled to begin tomorrow (Wednesday, 11 February 2026),” said Human yesterday.

The healthy animals on the outskirts of Kruisfontein will be vaccinated first. The animals will not be brought together in one place to prevent sick animals from infecting healthy animals. Since FMD is a state-controlled disease, the local state veterinarian will administer the vaccinations.

Also watch: SA’s own FMD vaccines – we were there!

Test results expected today

Meanwhile, Agri Western Cape expects to receive confirmation today whether FMD has indeed broken out in Mossel Bay.

According to Agri Western Cape and the Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (RPO) in the Western Cape there are currently suspected cases under investigation in the Mbekweni (at Wellington), Mfuleni (near Cape Town), Makhaza (at Khayelitsha), Kalkfontein (at Kuils River) and Mossel Bay areas. “At Mbekweni, Mfuleni, Makhaza and Kalkfontein livestock have already been preventatively vaccinated. Samples from all suspected cases have been sent to the laboratory in Pretoria, and results are currently pending,” according to a statement.

The Western Cape Department of Mobility, in cooperation with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Drakenstein Municipality, has established 24/7 roadblocks since Friday, 6 February, which are continuously monitored. A 10 km quarantine zone has been established around the Mbekweni index area. Law enforcement has also deployed patrol vehicles to ensure compliance.

Following information received by Agri Western Cape and the Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (RPO) in the Western Cape on 8 February from the Western Cape Department of Agriculture’s State Veterinarian for the area regarding a possible case, a roadblock was immediately established on the R328 at Sonskyn Road. Additional roadblocks will be implemented in the coming days. These roadblocks are manned by various stakeholders, including SAPS, Provincial Traffic Services and Law Enforcement Officers. A Joint Operational Centre (JOC) was established on 9 February by the State Veterinarian, Dr Janse van Rensburg, and relevant stakeholders to ensure a coordinated and preventative response. Further feedback on this case will be provided on 11 February.

Also read: FMD | Possible cases at Kuruman, Mossel Bay investigated

Documentation

Transporters are reminded to have all required documentation on hand, including:

Owner’s declaration
Health declaration (auctions only)
Receiver’s declaration for livestock
Certificates in terms of Sections 6 & 8 of the Stock Theft Act

All movement of animals into or out of the quarantine area must be reported via the department’s questionnaire: https://tinyurl.com/AnimalMovementApp

“Biosecurity remains the most important defence against the further spread of foot-and-mouth disease. We urgently appeal to all producers to strictly apply biosecurity measures without exception, to adhere carefully to all prescribed protocols, and to avoid any unnecessary movement of animals.

“The responsible conduct of every role player in the livestock sector is now critical to stabilising the situation and preventing further spread.”