King Misuzulu and MEC KaMadlopha-Mthethwa Take Action Against Foot-and-Mouth Disease in KwaZulu-Natal

KwaZulu-Natal farmers are facing a serious Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak, with the SAT 2 virus spreading rapidly across nearly all districts. To address the situation, the Amazulu King, Misuzulu kaZwelithini, met with KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Hon Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa, at eMashobeni Royal Palace in Pongola. The meeting also included departmental officials and members of the King’s delegation.

The King praised the department’s management of the outbreaks but stressed the need for more vaccinations, awareness campaigns, and stricter enforcement of animal movement restrictions from declared Disease Management Areas (DMAs). He pledged to encourage communities to actively engage in agriculture and to support the prevention of illegal livestock movements.

“FMD is spreading, particularly in communal areas along game reserves. No animals should be moved from FMD-declared areas without a permit, including cattle exchanged as part of dowry. Let us work together. My institution, including traditional leaders, is committed to collaborating with departmental officials,” the King said.

MEC kaMadlopha-Mthethwa highlighted the King’s leadership in quarantining his own cattle for 28 days and committed the department to supporting farmers with inputs, fencing, and assistance for agricultural cooperatives. She emphasized that agriculture is the backbone of KwaZulu-Natal’s economy, supporting job creation and tackling food insecurity, particularly in Zululand, UMkhanyakude, and uMzinyathi districts.

The department has deployed veterinarians across the province to assist farmers and raise awareness. Since FMD re-emerged in 2021, approximately 800,000 cattle have been vaccinated, with 324,700 vaccinated this year alone within and outside DMAs. District vaccination figures include:

UMkhanyakude: 57,261
Zululand: 39,041
Amajuba: 107,759
Uthukela: 24,550
King Cetshwayo: 9,671
Umzinyathi: 28,325
UMgungundlovu: 37,000
Harry Gwala: 21,235

In Zululand specifically:
Nongoma: 15,123
Abaqulusi: 9,867
Ulundi: 10,424
Edumbe: 3,627
Pongola: 0

All districts except uGu have suspected or confirmed FMD cases. The department urges farmers to comply with animal movement rules and biosecurity measures to help contain the outbreak.

The department is implementing resolutions from a recent Consultative Indaba on FMD in Durban, including strict adherence to movement permits, sharing virus strains with vaccine manufacturers, authorizing additional diagnostic labs, and ensuring adequate vaccine supply.

Farmers are encouraged to check their herds regularly, maintain quarantines for new animals, and participate in vaccination campaigns. Cooperation between traditional leadership, the department, and farmers is crucial to control the disease while supporting rural development and food security.

This coordinated effort aims to protect livestock, secure livelihoods, and ensure agriculture continues to drive economic growth in KwaZulu-Natal.