A further 4 million foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine doses will arrive in South Africa next week, Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp told an FMD symposium in Harfield, Pretoria on Friday, 31 July.
By Maile Matsimela and Marisa Beeton
According to Aucamp South Africa aims to vaccinate 80% of its national cattle herd against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) by December 2026 as government intensifies efforts to break the cycle of transmission and regain the country’s FMD-free status.
Aucamp said South Africa had so far imported 17 million vaccine doses as part of its response to the disease. By 17 July, more than 9 million doses had been distributed and just over 8 million animals vaccinated. This included 4 917 609 animals in the commercial sector and 3 107 234 animals belonging to communal and emerging farmers.
KwaZulu-Natal, North West, Eastern Cape and Free State have each vaccinated more than one million animals, while the country’s entire dairy herd has already been vaccinated.
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Vaccine availability remains a challenge
Aucamp acknowledged that vaccine availability had affected the pace of the campaign. Vaccines were not readily available within the Southern African Development Community (SADC), forcing South Africa to source supplies from outside the region.
The vaccines have been arriving in limited consignments, slowing vaccination efforts. He said imported vaccines also had to be scientifically matched to the FMD virus strains circulating in the country to ensure they provided effective protection.
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Farmers brought into vaccination drive
Aucamp also highlighted the recently launched online platform that allows livestock farmers and managers to apply to become authorised to vaccinate their own cattle against FMD.
The system, introduced after the recent FMD litigation settlement, allows livestock owners to apply for authorisation to vaccinate their own cattle, give notice of their intention to vaccinate and report back after vaccination. The department says allowing authorised farmers to vaccinate their own animals could accelerate the campaign.
However, Aucamp stressed vaccination alone would not stop the spread of FMD.
He said vaccination must be supported by controlled animal movement, surveillance, farm biosecurity, traceability and compliance with animal health regulations. “If animals continue to be moved without following prescribed procedures or obtaining the necessary permits, we will continue to see the spread of disease,” he said.
Aucamp said government would continue strengthening veterinary capacity and law enforcement as South Africa works towards having its FMD-free status reinstated by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
Also read:
FMD | Up to 40 million vaccine doses set to arrive in SA within two months
Aucamp’s out-of-court settlement opens door for direct import of FMD vaccines
