South Africa secures 13 million FMD vaccine doses to combat foot-and-mouth disease outbreak

Agriculture Minister  John Steenhuisen has announced the arrival of an additional two million doses of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine from Turkey, as the government ramps up efforts to contain the outbreak and protect the country’s livestock industry.

The latest shipment, which arrived on Tuesday morning from Turkish manufacturer Dollvet, brings the total number of imported vaccine doses secured since late February to eight million.

Steenhuisen said a further five million doses are expected to arrive soon, which will increase South Africa’s imported vaccine stock to 13 million doses. Combined with the two million doses previously secured from the Botswana Vaccine Institute last year, the country is expected to have access to 15 million doses by the end of May 2026.

He described the procurement drive as a major escalation in the government's war against FMD and said it demonstrates the department’s commitment to biosecurity, food security and protecting rural livelihoods.

“This sends a clear signal of our determination to protect the national interest, defend our livestock industry, and win the war against FMD,” he said.

The department aims to vaccinate 80% of South Africa’s national cattle herd estimated at around 14 million cattle by the end of December 2026.

Steenhuisen said mass vaccination forms part of a long-term strategy to achieve and maintain South Africa’s “FMD free with vaccination” status, while reducing the economic impact of recurring outbreaks on farmers and export markets.

He added that securing vaccines at scale will help the agricultural sector remain resilient and compliant with international animal health standards.

Regional cooperation strengthened

The minister also highlighted growing regional cooperation in combating transboundary animal diseases, saying neighbouring countries must work together because “diseases do not respect borders.”

On Monday, Steenhuisen joined Mandla Tshawuka and representatives from Mozambique in Hazyview, Mpumalanga, where 300 cattle were vaccinated during a regional demonstration campaign.

Drawing lessons from South America’s success in controlling FMD, Steenhuisen said Southern African countries should establish a regional SADC antigen bank to ensure faster vaccine access during future outbreaks.

“Cows do not carry passports. If one country acts alone, the risk remains for everyone,” he said.

SADC ministers to meet in Zimbabwe

Steenhuisen is also expected to chair a meeting of Southern African Development Community agriculture ministers in Zimbabwe later this month.

The meeting will focus on regional livestock traceability systems, animal movement controls and coordinated responses to transboundary diseases.

Acknowledging the hardship caused by the outbreak, Steenhuisen said the government remains committed to supporting farming communities affected by the disease.

“We have seen the pain, uncertainty, and the economic damage this disease has inflicted on farming communities across our country,” he said.