The Northern Cape Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform has received its first batch of locally produced foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccines, marking a critical step in containing the latest outbreak in the province. The initial consignment has been dispatched to Kuruman, where the vaccination rollout is set to begin immediately.
By Lebogang Mashala, Editor at African Farming
The delivery follows last week’s announcement by Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen that 12 900 doses had been released for distribution to six of the country’s nine provinces. North West, the Free State, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and the Eastern Cape are each expected to receive approximately 2 000 doses as part of the national response.
In the Northern Cape, Agriculture MEC Lebogang Motlhaping handed over the first batch, underscoring the province’s urgency in tackling the disease head-on.
Also read: Northern Cape confirms first case in current FMD outbreak
Targeted Outbreak Containment Measures
According to the department, the vaccines were secured in line with national disease control protocols and form part of targeted outbreak containment measures following laboratory confirmation of FMD in the affected area. Once results were confirmed, disease control protocols were immediately activated.
Movement restrictions on cloven-hooved animals are now in place to limit further spread. Veterinary teams have been deployed to conduct inspections, surveillance and monitoring in affected and surrounding areas. Trace-back and trace-forward investigations are also under way to determine the source of infection and assess the full extent of the outbreak.
Farmers are being urged to tighten biosecurity on their farms and to refrain from moving livestock unless authorised by a state veterinarian. The department continues to work closely with veterinary and technical teams to ensure swift containment.
The impact of FMD can be devastating, particularly for smallholder and emerging farmers whose livelihoods depend on uninterrupted production and access to markets. In response, direct veterinary and extension support is being provided, including guidance on herd management, strengthened biosecurity and compliance with movement restrictions.
Also read: FMD | First vaccine administered in Humansdorp this week
Extra Vaccine Doses Secured
As part of its containment strategy, the department initiated emergency procurement processes and secured approximately 600 additional vaccine doses. These are being prioritised for farms within the surveillance zone, which includes about 500 cattle, enabling targeted vaccination where the virus has been confirmed. Despite the national shortage of FMD vaccines, efforts are ongoing to secure further supplies.
Authorities have also warned farmers against using illegal or unregistered vaccines, cautioning that incorrect strains could compromise containment efforts. All vaccinations must be authorised and coordinated through official veterinary channels.
The department has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the province’s livestock sector through on-site inspections, advisory support, coordinated vaccination programmes and continuous communication with affected communities.
“This is not a challenge for one farmer alone; it is a collective responsibility to protect our herds, our rural livelihoods and our provincial economy. I call on all farmers and livestock owners to unite, comply fully with biosecurity measures and report any suspected symptoms immediately. Together, through vigilance and cooperation, we will contain this outbreak,” said Motlhaping.
Also read:
FMD vaccinations: ‘KZN will be ready to roll immediately’ – public/private stakeholders
FMD test at Mossel Bay is positive
Where is Dr Maja in the FMD crisis? On leave, says department
