KwaZulu-Natal vaccinates 1.7 million cattle as FMD control campaign expands

SOUTH AFRICA – KwaZulu-Natal has vaccinated 1.7 million cattle against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), covering more than two-thirds of the province’s estimated 2.5 million cattle population as authorities intensify efforts to contain the disease and protect the livestock sector.

The vaccination campaign has so far reached nine of the province’s 11 districts, with veterinary teams preparing to extend operations to uMzinyathi and Amajuba in the coming weeks.

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is targeting an estimated 285,000 cattle in uMzinyathi District, where vaccination operations are expected to resume on 21 August.

Amajuba will follow as the department works to complete the first phase of the provincial vaccination programme.

The campaign forms part of wider efforts to limit FMD transmission, with authorities emphasising that vaccination must be supported by movement controls, disease surveillance and rapid reporting of suspected cases.

FMD remains major threat to livestock sector

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa described FMD as “enemy number one” for the province’s livestock sector, citing its potential impact on food security, markets and farmer livelihoods.

Speaking to more than 1,500 farmers and community members during a stakeholder engagement on animal husbandry and food security at eMachibini Sports Field in Mtubatuba, uMkhanyakude District, the MEC called for continued cooperation with veterinary authorities.

“FMD is enemy number one. It threatens our food security, our markets and the dignity of our farmers,” she said.

The MEC also highlighted the broader economic importance of healthy livestock to farming communities, particularly smallholder producers who depend on cattle for income and household security.

Authorities have urged livestock owners in the two remaining districts to cooperate with veterinary teams and ensure their animals are available when vaccination operations reach their areas.

The department also commended veterinary teams, traditional leaders and farmers for supporting vaccination, dipping, livestock movement controls and reporting of suspected FMD cases.

However, kaMadlopha-Mthethwa stressed that vaccination alone would not eliminate the disease.

Continued compliance with animal-health measures, including movement controls and disease reporting, will remain necessary to reduce the risk of further spread.

The progress in KwaZulu-Natal comes as FMD continues to pose a significant challenge to livestock production and trade in South Africa.

This makes coordinated vaccination, surveillance and farmer participation critical to protecting cattle populations and maintaining the resilience of the livestock value chain.

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