South Africa Launches Decade — Long Vaccine Campaign Against FMD in Cattle. Johannesburg, South Africa — The South African government has embarked on a 10-year vaccination campaign to combat the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) affecting its cattle population.
The highly contagious viral infection, which is harmless to humans but devastating for livestock, has swept across the nation, impacting all but one of its nine provinces.
The campaign, announced on Wednesday, aims to vaccinate nearly 20 million cattle. Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen described the outbreak as a “financial and emotional toll “on farmers, noting that since losing its FMD-free status in 2019, farmers have faced unprecedented challenges. Officials commented on the matter.
He added that nearly two million cattle had already been vaccinated, with the objective of reducing outbreak incidence within 12 months by over 70 percent in high-risk provinces. Plans are also underway to declare the outbreak a national disaster, providing the government with additional powers to intervene.
However, the Southern Africa Agricultural Initiative, a farmers’lobby group, argues that the new plan does not go far enough, as it fails to provide the necessary solutions for producers facing a “survival crisis.”.
The outbreak has had significant implications for South Africa’s beef export market.
In 2024, the country exported approximately 38,600 tonnes of beef, with key markets including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. China, a major importer, suspended beef imports over FMD concerns.
Further details regarding the number of cattle deaths in the current outbreak remain unclear, as many farmers choose to cull their herds, and cases often go unreported.
The situation is expected to evolve as the government implements its vaccination strategy and considers additional measures to combat the disease. Steenhuisen emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “The objective is to reduce outbreak incidence within 12 months by more than 70 percent in the high-risk provinces.”.
The government’s efforts to contain the outbreak are a crucial step in restoring South Africa’s status as an FMD-free country and protecting its livestock and export markets.
