KwaZulu-Natal Declares War on Foot and Mouth Disease as Vaccination Campaign Gains Momentum

The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa, has confirmed that veterinary services personnel are actively working across the province to contain the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease. Speaking at the Inkosi Msinga Mlaba Sport Complex in KwaXimba under the eThekwini Municipality, she addressed stakeholders during the Provincial Stakeholder Engagement programme on FMD. She stated that the outbreak has reached unprecedented levels and now demands a coordinated and aggressive response. Veterinary teams are currently administering antibiotics and spraying farms to reduce secondary infections and strengthen animal health while vaccine supplies are being secured. These interventions aim to stabilize affected livestock and limit further economic losses for farmers.

The KwaZulu-Natal cabinet has officially declared war on FMD, signaling a province wide escalation of control measures. Several districts are now running focused FMD programmes led by appointed MEC Champions to ensure oversight and accountability. Veterinarians have been deployed across districts to support both commercial and small scale farmers with treatment, monitoring and disease management advice. The MEC emphasized that while antibiotics do not cure FMD, they help prevent complications and improve recovery rates in infected animals. This hands on approach is designed to protect livelihoods and maintain the province’s livestock production capacity.

Addressing concerns around vaccine shortages, kaMadlopha-Mthethwa acknowledged that supply disruptions between November and February left many livestock owners vulnerable. Vaccines previously sourced from Botswana were insufficient to meet demand during the peak of the outbreak. She confirmed that both the national Minister of Agriculture and the provincial government, led by Premier Thamisanqa Ntuli, are procuring new vaccine supplies from Argentina and Turkey. These vaccines will provide six months of protection, forming a critical part of the province’s disease control strategy. Plans are also underway to revive South Africa’s local vaccine production facility to ensure long term security and provide vaccines that offer up to twelve months of protection.

Farmers have been urged to prepare for the upcoming vaccination campaign and ensure their livestock are vaccinated on time. Early vaccination will reduce transmission rates and support efforts to regain disease control status. Premier Ntuli has reassured farmers that vaccines are on the way and that government is intensifying its response at both provincial and national levels. He also confirmed that a formal request for provincial disaster classification has been submitted, which could unlock additional resources for intervention measures.

In addition, Premier Ntuli called for the development of a compensation framework to support farmers who have suffered livestock losses due to Foot and Mouth Disease. Such a strategy would help stabilize rural economies and prevent further financial strain on affected producers. The combined efforts of veterinary teams, district leadership, and national support aim to curb the outbreak through vaccination, treatment and coordinated disease management. As KwaZulu-Natal strengthens its response, farmers are encouraged to cooperate fully with veterinary officials and implement strict biosecurity measures to protect their herds.