More than 1 300 cattle in the Eastern Cape’s Ngobozana Administrative area in Lusikisiki, have been vaccinated against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) as efforts to contain the spread of the disease continue.
The vaccination drive, conducted on Friday, forms part of a broader provincial campaign that has seen over 302 000 cattle inoculated since the arrival of FMD vaccines in South Africa.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture Zoleka Capa, who joined the campaign, commended the provincial department for its efforts to contain the outbreak. She underscored the importance of coordinated interventions to protect livestock and safeguard rural livelihoods.
“We are encouraged by the strong turnout of farmers supporting the campaign to ensure their cattle are vaccinated. We aim to continue with programmes that will help keep livestock healthy,” Capa said.
Local farmer Sipho Giwu welcomed the initiative, noting that many farmers lacked access to vaccines and information about the vaccination process.
“FMD has caused significant losses across the country, and we are pleased that our animals are now being vaccinated. Government is also encouraging livestock tagging, which will help address stock theft, a major concern in the province,” Giwu said.
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen recently confirmed that government has secured a steady supply of vaccines to sustain the campaign. To date, four million doses have been received, including 2.5 million from Biogénesis Bagó and 1.5 million from Dollvet.
READ | Progress in national FMD vaccination drive
An additional two million doses from Dollvet are expected by the end of April. Furthermore, an order for five million doses from Biogénesis Bagó has been placed through Onderstepoort Biological Products, with 3.5 million doses anticipated to arrive before the end of April 2026.
Vaccination efforts are being implemented using a risk-based approach, prioritising areas with high concentrations of susceptible livestock.
On 10 April 2026, Steenhuisen announced plans to publish a Routine Vaccination Scheme for FMD under the Animal Diseases Act, 1984. The proposed framework aims to strengthen long-term disease control measures.
Public comments on the draft scheme closed on 17 April 2026, with submissions directed to the FMD Command Centre. The final scheme is expected to be published on 24 April 2026. – SAnews.gov.za
