South Africa has embarked on a mass vaccination campaign to contain a devastating outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) that has already disrupted the country’s livestock industry. Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen announced the rollout on Friday, marking a critical step in efforts to stabilize meat and dairy supplies and protect export markets.
The government recently secured one million vaccine doses from Turkey, with additional shipments expected this weekend. However, the supply falls far short of the nearly 12 million cattle that require vaccination nationwide.
Scale of the Outbreak
The outbreak, which intensified late last year, has already affected 297,000 cattle and forced farmers to cull more than 120,000 animals. The coastal province of KwaZulu-Natal has been identified as the epicenter, with over 17,000 farms impacted. The government has declared the outbreak a national disaster, unlocking emergency funding to procure vaccines.
The National Treasury has allocated approximately $25 million to fight the epidemic, but farmers remain concerned about shortages and the slow pace of vaccine distribution.
Economic and Industry Impact
The outbreak has triggered bans on South African meat exports from key markets, including China and Zambia, threatening millions of dollars in lost revenue and widespread job losses. Farmers have been forced to quarantine herds, halt trade, and absorb mounting costs while waiting for vaccines.
Dr. Dirk Verwoerd, a veterinarian at Karan Beef, the country’s largest meat producer, described the situation as catastrophic:
“It’s an epidemic that is out of control, completely out of control. Rampant infections are happening in all provinces daily. The first target is to get stability, and that’s why we need to vaccinate the national herd.”
Karan Beef’s feedlot in Heidelberg, spanning 2,300 hectares and housing up to 140,000 cattle, illustrates the scale of the challenge facing producers.
Looking Ahead
Authorities emphasize that mass vaccination is the only viable strategy to get ahead of the outbreak and prevent future crises. The campaign’s success will depend on securing sufficient vaccine supplies and ensuring rapid distribution across affected provinces.
