KwaZulu-Natal’s agricultural sector is facing its most challenging battle yet as MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa, announced a comprehensive ban on all animal movements while launching an ambitious mass vaccination campaign to combat the severe foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak plaguing the province.
Speaking from the Provincial Veterinary Laboratory in Allerton, Pietermaritzburg, where 200 000 vaccine doses await distribution, the MEC delivered a stern warning to livestock owners who continue moving animals despite the outbreak.
No Exceptions: Even Traditional Practices Affected
“We urge the public who continue to engage in cattle movement to stop doing that immediately,” kaMadlopha-Mthethwa declared. “This instruction applies even to those who use cattle for ilobolo (traditional dowry payments). As an alternative, online platforms may be used for dowry exchanges.”
The MEC called upon traditional leaders to enforce compliance within their communities, emphasising the gravity of the situation. “We have to be harsh now so that people will see how serious we are in dealing with this. This disease is serious and we must adhere to the animal control measures that have been put in place.”
Also read: FMD | 11 000 cattle vaccinated on the first day in KZN
Strategic Vaccine Deployment
The vaccination strategy reveals a calculated scientific approach to combating different strains of the virus. The veterinary services have strategically selected uGu and Harry Gwala districts for the Biogénesis Bagó vaccines because these areas remain free of the SAT 3 FMD virus strain.
“Taking our mass vaccination drive to northern KwaZulu-Natal would have been ineffective and futile because these vaccines may fail to deal with SAT 3 FMD virus,” explained kaMadlopha-Mthethwa. The current vaccines specifically target and neutralise SAT 1 and SAT 2 viruses present in cattle populations within the selected districts.
Infrastructure Upgrades and Laboratory Capacity
Dr Kolisa Amanda Nokoyo, Deputy Director of Veterinary Diagnostics Services, announced significant improvements coming to the Allerton Laboratory. The facility, which currently stores the vaccines in sufficient cold rooms with backup generators, will soon be upgraded to enable comprehensive testing of all blood samples, including suspicious FMD cases.
“Once fully upgraded, it will address the backlog of FMD results,” Dr Nokoyo confirmed, highlighting the province’s commitment to strengthening its veterinary infrastructure.
Also read: FMD in KZN – Vaccinations start as farmers remain confused and suspicious
The Massive Vaccination Plan: By the Numbers
The ambitious rollout commenced on 26 February and represents one of the largest veterinary campaigns in the province’s history:
Scale and Logistics:
- 200 000 doses received from the first batch of one million national doses
- 2.4 million cattle to be vaccinated across the province
- 2 286 dip tanks to be covered within 4-6 months
- 45 teams deployed daily targeting 45 locations
- 45 000-90 000 animals vaccinated per day at full capacity
Team Composition and Technology:
Each vaccination team comprises seven specialised members:
- Three animal health technicians
- Four data capturers
- Integration with livestock associations for the Livestock Identification and Traceability System (LITS)
Also read: FMD | ‘This disease does not discriminate’ – KZN’s black livestock owners keen for vaccination rollout
Strategic Geographic Approach
The vaccination campaign follows a border-to-centre strategy, prioritising districts that border other provinces and countries before moving inward. This approach aims to create protective barriers against further disease spread.
The campaign will began in uGu district before expanding to Harry Gwala, ensuring comprehensive coverage of both communal and commercial cattle operations.
Public-Private Partnership
Recognising the scale of the challenge, the provincial government has authorised both state and private veterinarians to administer vaccines, significantly expanding the available workforce.
For commercial operations, the department collaborates with private veterinarians and industry bodies including Kwanalu and the Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (RPO) to ensure seamless rollout and monitoring.
Also read:
FMD | ‘I have no more tears left to cry’ – pig producer
FMD | Some milk and slaughter measures amended
