KwaZulu-Natal has reached another important milestone in its battle against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), with veterinary teams completing mass vaccination operations in the uThukela District, the seventh district to be fully covered since the campaign began in February.
By Maile Matsimela, digital editor at African Farming
The latest phase saw 204 000 cattle vaccinated across 310 dip tanks in uThukela, exceeding the district’s official cattle census of 196 000 animals. The achievement points to strong participation by livestock owners, with farmers presenting cattle beyond the recorded census figures for vaccination.
Vaccinations were carried out across all three local municipalities in the district, with 81 000 cattle vaccinated in Alfred Duma, 73 000 in iNkosi Langalibalele, and 50 000 in oKhahlamba.
Also read: KZN completes FMD vaccinations in eThekwini as campaign surpasses 1.1 million animals
More than half the provincial herd now protected
The completion of uThukela brings the provincial campaign to just over 52% of KwaZulu-Natal’s cattle population, with seven of the province’s 11 districts now fully covered.
Districts where vaccination has already been completed are uGu, Harry Gwala, uMkhanyakude, Zululand, uMgungundlovu, eThekwini and uThukela.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa, praised veterinary officials and support teams for maintaining the momentum of one of the province’s largest livestock disease-control interventions.
“We are almost there in terms of vaccinations. Our target is to cover about 80% of the province’s cattle. We are winning the war against FMD in the province, and it is all thanks to these teams who have been doing a great job since day one on 26 February. I am confident that we will finish within our timeframe of six months, which is the end of August,” she said.
Also read: More cars and manpower for KZN FMD vaccination drive
Final push begins later this month
With seven districts now complete, vaccination teams are preparing for the final phase of the campaign.
Operations are scheduled to resume on 22 July 2026 in King Cetshwayo and iLembe districts, while uMzinyathi and Amajuba will complete the remaining work before the provincial campaign concludes.
The Department has set a target of vaccinating approximately 80% of KwaZulu-Natal’s cattle population by the end of August, a level regarded as critical in strengthening the province’s defence against the spread of foot-and-mouth disease.
The mass vaccination campaign, which began on 26 February 2026, forms part of the province’s broader strategy to contain the disease, protect livestock production, and restore confidence in the red meat industry following the recent FMD outbreaks.
Also read: Veterinary teams wrap up FMD vaccinations in KZN’s uMkhanyakude district
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