KwaZulu-Natal Intensifies Response to Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreak

On 6 February, stakeholders in KwaZulu-Natal met at a critical juncture for the province’s agricultural economy, where thousands of farming households face ongoing threats from Foot-and-Mouth Disease. The outbreak has evolved from an animal health issue into a socio-economic and disaster management challenge, requiring urgent, coordinated action across all levels of government. Non-compliance with livestock movement regulations has contributed to the spread of the disease, affecting every district in the province, disrupting trade, and raising serious concerns about food security and rural livelihoods. A comprehensive report on the outbreak was recently submitted to the Provincial Cabinet, with the Provincial Disaster Management Centre recommending consideration of a state of disaster classification at the national level.

KwaZulu-Natal is home to 2.4 million cattle, including 475,000 dairy animals on 213 farms that employ over 3,000 workers and support nearly 640,000 people. The outbreak has had devastating effects on both commercial and communal farmers. Livestock losses, decreased milk production, and weight loss are reducing household income and threatening food security. Cattle in rural communities serve multiple roles, including savings, dowry, and ritual purposes, making the economic impact of the disease especially severe. To date, 207 outbreaks have been confirmed, with 187 still unresolved, affecting communal herds, feedlots, and commercial operations. Trade restrictions and export limitations have intensified the pressure on emerging and commercial farmers alike.

The Provincial Disaster Management Centre, through the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, has activated a Joint Operations Centre to coordinate monitoring, information sharing, and rapid response alongside the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Classification of the outbreak as a state of disaster will allow the province to reprioritize resources, access national funding, secure vaccines quickly, and strengthen interventions. The Joint Operations Centre is developing an implementation plan to guide these efforts, with monthly progress reports submitted to the Provincial Cabinet to maintain accountability and oversight.

Since the re-emergence of Foot-and-Mouth Disease in 2021, around 800,000 cattle have been vaccinated in KwaZulu-Natal, including 324,700 during the current financial year. Surveillance remains a critical component, with over 19,000 animals tested to date. The provincial response includes mass vaccination campaigns, strict movement controls, enhanced biosecurity measures, and recovery auctions that allow healthy, vaccinated animals to re-enter trade safely. Collaborative efforts with industry stakeholders, academic institutions, and organized agriculture support an evidence-based recovery blueprint. This strategy includes expanded vaccination programs for communal, commercial, and feedlot farmers, phased implementation of a livestock identification and traceability system, and intensified awareness campaigns.

Vaccination efforts aim to achieve at least 90 percent coverage in targeted populations and full coverage in dairy herds within 24 months, reducing disease incidents by an estimated 70 percent. Strict adherence to animal movement regulations remains mandatory, with enforcement measures being strengthened to protect the agricultural sector. The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government is committed to safeguarding livelihoods, supporting farmers, and containing the outbreak decisively. Transparent communication with the public and farming communities will continue as interventions are rolled out, ensuring coordinated action to stabilize the province’s livestock sector and secure its socio-economic future.