The FMD vaccination drive provided an opportunity for cattle to get ear-tagged in KwaZulu-Natal’s uMgungundlovu District, where state veterinary teams have now completed vaccinations of more than 84 000 animals.
By Maile Matsimela, digital editor at African Farming
The ear-tagging of more than 29 000 cattle represents a major traceability milestone, bringing thousands of previously untagged animals into the formal animal identification system and strengthening South Africa’s ability to manage disease outbreaks, monitor livestock movements and support market access requirements
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development announced that 29 364 cattle were ear-tagged and 84 175 animals were vaccinated across 197 designated dip tanks in the district’s seven local municipalities.
The campaign also included 77 commercial farms and forms part of ongoing efforts to contain the spread of the highly contagious foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).
uMgungundlovu is now the fifth district in the province where the vaccination programme has been completed, following successful campaigns in Ugu, Harry Gwala, uMkhanyakude and Zululand districts.
Also read: Veterinary teams wrap up FMD vaccinations in KZN’s uMkhanyakude district
Vaccination and Ear-tagging Progress
The highest number of vaccinations was recorded in Impendle Local Municipality, where 19 660 cattle were vaccinated and 9 307 animals ear-tagged.
Mpofana Local Municipality followed with 16 169 vaccinations and 3 876 ear tags, and Msunduzi recorded 15 802 vaccinations and 4 719 tagged animals.
Other municipalities recorded the following figures:
- uMshwathi: 10 217 vaccinated and 2 557 tagged
- Richmond: 7 951 vaccinated and 3 527 tagged
- uMngeni: 7 234 vaccinated and 1 762 tagged
- Mkhambathini: 7 142 vaccinated and 3 616 tagged
Also watch: Why tagging for record-keeping is important – Neo Brian Rasehlo
Focus Shifts to eThekwini
With operations now concluded in the Midlands district, veterinary-led teams are preparing to move eastward into the eThekwini Metropolitan area. Vaccination activities are scheduled to commence on 9 June and continue until 16 June 2026, targeting cattle at 70 dip tanks across the metro.
Also read and watch:
WATCH | Farmer Kobela champions new RMIS traceability platform to combat livestock theft
FMD court ruling: What farmers should know now
From our editor: FMD campaign reveals the livestock story we’ve been getting wrong for decades
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