Foot-and-mouth disease: SA orders 900k+ vaccines to contain outbreak
Following a FMD outbreak at a major feedlot in Gauteng, government steps in with a national vaccination and control strategy to limit its spread.
LIMPOPO – Concern is mounting after recent cases of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) were reported among cloven-hoofed animals in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.
On Friday, Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen reassured producers and consumers, saying that the department is ready to control the situation.
The recent outbreak at Karan Beef’s feedlot in Heidelberg raised alarm about meat safety and the department’s ability to contain existing outbreaks and prevent new ones, prompting Steenhuisen to issue a media statement.
“We want to put the facts on the table and call on all citizens to make it their responsibility to be informed about how to limit the spread of this disease. Biosecurity is everyone’s responsibility,” he said.
He indicated that all infected properties have been placed under quarantine, with no movement allowed into, out of, or through these areas and farms.
Larger areas where individuals cannot receive quarantine notices are declared disease management zones, and the same restrictions apply.
Animals in these zones will be vaccinated and marked as vaccinated with an F-brand on their necks.
According to Steenhuisen, the department has ordered 901 200 vaccine doses valued at over R70m, which means more than 9 000 animals in priority areas will be vaccinated.
Limpopo and Mpumalanga will continue their routine vaccinations, which take place three times a year.
A portion of the vaccine stock will be sent to Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, and multiple teams will vaccinate the areas simultaneously, so vaccinations will not be limited to one specific site.
The process will begin once the vaccines are received and approved. It is expected that the department will receive the vaccines by the end of this week and begin vaccinating the following week.
Steenhuisen added that there is no concern about meat shortages. Despite some feedlots being affected, there are several others that are not. He also emphasised that the disease does not kill animals, so mass deaths and subsequent meat shortages are not expected.
The minister reassured consumers that foot-and-mouth disease does not affect humans, only animals with cloven hooves, such as cattle, goats and pigs.
In terms of contingency plans, Steenhuisen confirmed that the Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS) will this week activate a centralised operational centre at its headquarters.
This will be overseen by an RMIS veterinarian leading a team of 13 veterinary professionals, supported by a specialist public relations and public affairs agency.
The task team will develop and implement a structured, time-bound response to the outbreak, with medium to long term goals, including a focused vaccination campaign in key areas.
No cases have yet been reported in Limpopo, and farmers are monitoring the situation.
