The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is intensifying efforts to contain the spread of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) across the province, with 138 confirmed cases recorded as of 19 February 2026.
Providing an update on Friday, North West Agriculture and Rural Development MEC Madoda Sambatha said the department is working closely with veterinarians, animal health technicians and law enforcement agencies to curb the outbreak.
Of the confirmed cases, 135 were detected in cattle, two in pigs and one in a goat. Sixteen of the province’s 18 municipalities have been affected.
The highest number recorded in JB Marks/Ventersdorp with 26 cases, followed by Potchefstroom/Tlokwe with 24, while 16 cases have been confirmed in Rustenburg.
To strengthen disease control measures, Sambatha announced that the province received 1 400 doses of FMD vaccine on 9 February 2026. The doses were administered to a dairy herd in the Bojanala District and recorded on the Livestock Identification Traceability System (LITS).
Sambatha said a further batch of vaccines is expected later this month and will be distributed based on a risk assessment. Farmers will be notified by animal health technicians when to bring their animals for vaccination.
The MEC emphasised that uncontrolled animal movement of animals remains the single biggest threat to containment efforts. He said a Movement Protocol was issued on 12 February 2026, and all stakeholders have been urged to comply and to share the information widely within farming communities.
“The outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease in the province is a matter of great concern, not only for our farmers but for the entire agricultural economy. Vaccination, strict movement control and community vigilance are our strongest weapons against this disease.
“I urge every farmer and stakeholder to cooperate fully with the protocols in place, report any suspected cases immediately, and support our collective effort to protect livelihoods. Together, we will overcome this challenge and safeguard the future of livestock farming in the North West,” Sambatha said.
The department reiterated its call for farmers and communities to immediately report any suspected cases of FMD to their local state or private veterinarians, animal health technicians, or extension officers without delay.
“Prompt reporting will enable swift investigation and control measures, helping to curb the spread and prevent further losses in the livestock industry,” Sambatha said.
The provincial department said it will continue to monitor the situation and implement measures aimed at safeguarding the province’s livestock sector.
One million FMD vaccine to arrive in South Africa
This week, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen announced that the first consignment of one million high-potency Foot-and-Mouth Disease vaccine doses from Biogénesis Bagó in Argentina will be arriving in South Africa on Saturday, bringing much-needed relief to the most affected provinces and regions.
Steenhuisen said the shipment marks the first phase of a broader agreement, with a further five million doses scheduled for delivery in March this year.
The Minister said the vaccines form part of the Department of Agriculture’s new strategy to combat FMD, which includes the proactive vaccination of South Africa’s national herd of more than 14 million cattle. The goal is to transition the country to “FMD-Free Status with Vaccination.”
In addition to the supply from Argentina, Steenhuisen said the Botswana Vaccine Institute (BVI) remains a key partner, noting that since the recent FMD outbreak, BVI has delivered two million doses and is expected to continue supplying FMD vaccines every month.
Steenhuisen further announced that vaccines will also be supplied by Dollvet in Turkey through its local agent, Dunevax. – SAnews.gov.za
