Sign in Subscribe
Vaccines

Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreaks Spread in South Africa, Vaccinations Lag Behind

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As the foot-and-mouth disease continues to ravage livestock across South Africa, with recent outbreaks reported in several provinces, especially in the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal, farmers are growing increasingly anxious about the economic consequences. Despite efforts to import vaccines from Botswana, the current vaccination program is struggling to keep pace with the rapidly spreading outbreaks. The Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, has acknowledged the need for a massive vaccination program, with the goal of eventually reaching a foot-and-mouth-free status without vaccination, similar to Brazil's current status.

Key Takeaways:

  • As of July, South Africa recorded 270 foot-and-mouth outbreaks across five provinces, with 249 remaining unresolved and 21 resolved.
  • The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) is almost finished producing a vaccine in South Africa, but more vaccines will be brought in from Botswana in the meantime.
  • The Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, aims to have a steady flow of vaccines coming in from Botswana, with the goal of producing a locally-made vaccine in a year or two that can deal with three types of foot-and-mouth disease.
  • The current vaccination program is struggling to control the outbreak, with the CEO of the Red Meat Producers Association, Frikkie Maré, stating that farmers are scared and that vaccinations are not keeping up with the outbreaks.
  • Farmers are facing significant economic consequences, with some unable to move their animals or access markets, leading to a loss of income.
  • The Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, has acknowledged the need for a solution to the economic impact of the foot-and-mouth disease, citing the importance of the fifth quarter for food security in South Africa.

Statistics:

  • 270: The total number of foot-and-mouth outbreaks recorded in South Africa as of July, across five provinces.
  • 249: The number of foot-and-mouth outbreaks in South Africa that remain unresolved.
  • 21: The number of foot-and-mouth outbreaks in South Africa that have been declared resolved.
  • 28 days: The period of time after vaccination that animals must stay on the farm before markets can open up.
  • 2025: The year in which South Africa aims to reach a foot-and-mouth-free status without vaccination, similar to Brazil's current status.

Sources:

  • "South Africa vows to stop foot-and-mouth disease" - Source: SABC News
  • "We urge the government to urgently provide farmers with enough vaccines" - Source: Red Meat Producers Association
  • "We will need more than Botswana Vaccine Institute to solve this problem" - Source: CEO of the Red Meat Producers Association, Frikkie Maré
  • "The situation is bad, there are almost new outbreaks on small farms as well as commercial farms and informal settlements daily" - Source: CEO of the Red Meat Producers Association, Frikkie Maré
  • "If this is found on your property you are basically being cut off economically" - Source: CEO of the Red Meat Producers Association, Frikkie Maré

Read more