The North West Province has kicked off an ambitious vaccination campaign against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), with the first cattle receiving injections last week as authorities ramp up efforts to contain an outbreak that has now spread to 16 of the province’s 18 municipalities.
With 158 confirmed cases recorded across all four districts, the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has secured 100 000 doses of Biogénesis Bagó FMD vaccines to protect livestock and safeguard the livelihoods of farming communities throughout the province.
Madoda Sambatha, North West MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, unveiled the vaccines during a press conference at Potchefstroom College of Agriculture last Thursday, emphasising that the distribution will prioritise fairness and accessibility across all affected areas.
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“While priority will be given to the most affected areas, no farmer or village will be left behind,” Sambatha said. “Communal villages, where livestock movement and limited biosecurity measures increase risk, will be a critical focus to build herd immunity and cut off transmission pathways.”
The vaccination drive forms part of a comprehensive response strategy that includes daily veterinary outreach, information sessions and biosecurity awareness campaigns across the province. Special attention is being given to quarantined farms and areas near buffalo populations, which are known carriers of the virus.
Early Reporting Crucial For Containment
MEC Sambatha made a direct appeal to farmers, stressing the critical importance of transparency and early reporting in the fight against FMD.
“Farmers must not keep quiet when they see signs of foot-and-mouth disease. Do not hide cases,” he said. “You must be the first to report them to your nearest veterinary clinic or extension officer. If you report early, it will help the province stop the disease from spreading.”
The MEC emphasised that human behaviour plays a crucial role in both the spread and containment of the disease.
“This sickness does not move on its own; it is moved by us when we move animals without care. That means we also have the power to stop it,” Sambatha explained. “By reporting quickly and working together, we can protect our cattle, our villages and our livelihoods.”
Also watch: Government ramps up FMD vaccination campaign in Gauteng
More Vaccines On The Way
The Department has assured communities that additional consignments of FMD vaccines are expected in the near future, which will allow for expanded coverage across all districts and strengthen herd immunity province wide.
Farmers that see signs of FMD in their livestock are urged to report immediately to their nearest veterinary facility or contact extension officers. Quick action and responsible reporting are essential for containing the outbreak and protecting the agricultural economy, food security and rural livelihoods across the North West Province.
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