The Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development began administering its allocated share – 70 000 doses – of the first consignment of foot-and-mouth disease vaccine from Argentina on Thursday, 26 February.
By Carien Kruger, senior journalist at African Farming and Landbouweekblad
Vuyiswa Ramokgopa, MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, told the media last week that the province had initially requested 300 000 doses of the vaccine against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). With the rollout now underway, Gauteng is shifting from targeted to large-scale vaccination.
Vaccination teams were deployed from Thursday in the veterinary areas of Randfontein, Germiston and Tshwane.
“Our approach is risk-based and data-driven. We are prioritising infected farms near buffalo herds, newly diagnosed outbreaks with active transmission, communal grazing systems, and dairy farms close to confirmed cases,” Ramokgopa said.
She and her team of veterinarians have been engaging with farmers in various areas since January. “These discussions have provided structured platforms for sharing information, technical guidance and joint problem-solving.”
The department’s online platform, which will enable farmers and the public to access real-time information on the vaccination process and high-risk areas, was almost ready, Ramokgopa said.
Also read: FMD | Vaccination update from the Eastern Cape
Cases Rose as Surveillance Improved
By 27 January, Gauteng had 173 confirmed FMD cases, which increased to 228 by 26 February. The rise in numbers did not reflect uncontrolled spread, Ramokgopa said, but rather improved monitoring and intensified efforts to identify active cases.
Most cases were recorded in the Germiston area (150 cases), with the remainder in the Randfontein (55) and Tshwane (23) areas. Of the total, 75 cases were on communal farms, 17 on dairy farms, 10 at feedlots and 119 on commercial farms.
Since the outbreaks began, 297 413 animals in communal, dairy and commercial farming operations have been affected.
The department has already administered 268 315 vaccine doses, and 128 925 animals had to be slaughtered at designated facilities.
Of the first 12 900 doses produced by the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), 1 700 were allocated to Gauteng, and all have already been administered.
Also read and watch:
WATCH | Dr Aamira Vally of the ARC gives tips on biosecurity
FMD awareness | How foot-and-mouth disease spreads
FMD | Claims that farmers must pay or register for vaccines are false
