South Africa Launches Nationwide Vaccination Drive to Contain Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreak

Edited By: Widad WAHBI

Facing a severe outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), South Africa has initiated a large-scale national vaccination campaign aimed at halting the spread of the highly contagious viral infection, which primarily affects livestock.

The government’s response seeks to safeguard a vital economic sector currently under intense strain, as rising case numbers have been reported in several provinces. To underscore the urgency of the situation, South African Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen visited the Karan Beef feedlot in Gauteng province, one of the country’s largest livestock facilities, responsible for nearly 30% of national beef production.

“This is the first time we’ve implemented a vaccination program at the scale of a major feedlot to contain foot-and-mouth disease,” the minister stated. “The cattle industry is of critical importance for both our economy and national food security. This outbreak has disrupted production chains and triggered significant price increases on the market.”

The economic toll is already considerable. Minister Steenhuisen estimates losses in the hundreds of millions of rands, citing a sharp reduction in beef supply that has led to soaring prices and heightened pressure on consumers already grappling with inflation.

On the ground, veterinary services have been fully mobilized. Dr. Wynton Rabolao, Chief Veterinary Officer for Gauteng, emphasized the stakes of the vaccination effort: “Our goal is to reduce viral load in herds and develop effective containment strategies. We’re hoping for a gradual return to normal conditions. For now, the farm remains under strict quarantine — no movement in or out, not even for animals ready for slaughter.”

The outbreak has also raised international concerns. Key trading partners, including China, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, have already suspended imports of South African beef, further deepening the crisis’s economic impact.

In light of the situation, some cattle farmers are calling for the government to declare a state of health emergency. Such a move would unlock extraordinary resources to combat the epidemic and stabilize a sector that is vital to both the country’s economy and food sovereignty.