After several years trying to curtail the rapid spread of foot and mouth disease (FMD) across South Africa, the livestock sector there is now in crisis.
South Africa lost its FMD-free status in 2019, but is now fighting a severe outbreak that emerged in 2021 and shows no signs of easing.
Eight out of the country’s nine provinces have reported outbreaks of FMD, as has neighbouring Zimbabwe, which is desperately trying to limit further spread.
There are also fresh concerns from neighbouring Botswana, where cattle farming forms the backbone of its agricultural sector.
Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture in Botswana have issued strict guidelines about cattle imports and exports, as well as urging farmers to lock up their cattle at night to prevent them mixing with Zimbabwean cattle roaming in the wild.
Some wild animals, including buffalo, are also carriers of FMD, and a number of programmes are underway to monitor their movements and any outbreaks.
FMD in South Africa
Tens of thousands of affected cattle in South Africa have been slaughtered to date, both those that were confirmed as FMD carriers, and others in the same herds.
Back in June 2025, three of South Africa’s largest commercial cattle feedlots, operated by Karan Beef, had tested positive for FMD, placing approximately 160,000 head of cattle under immediate control measures.
A multi-million dollar vaccination programme has been initiated across the country by the South African government in a further bid to try and contain this deadly disease.
Plans are in place to vaccinate the entire herd in South Africa, starting with the areas with the most severe FMD outbreaks.
The goal is to vaccinate 100% of dairy cattle and feedlot cattle, 90% of commercial cattle and 80% of communal cattle.
South African Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, outlined the government’s action plan: “Since losing our foot and mouth disease (FMD)-free status in 2019, our farmers have faced unprecedented challenges.
“I have received many pleas for help, from commercial to communal farmers, who have borne the heavy burden of the recent FMD outbreaks in the country.
“I must be frank with the nation. Achieving FMD-free status is a monumental task that will not happen overnight.
“Our strategy will be phased over 10 years, beginning with stabilisation and consolidation, before moving toward the eventual withdrawal of vaccination and final recognition of national freedom through vaccination by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).”
Vaccination
The minister has said that it will be a long-term commitment to the health of the economy and the security of the country’s food supply.
“I need to emphasise that vaccination is not a silver bullet to eradicate or manage this disease. It is merely one of the tools that can and should be used to combat FMD,” he said.
Around two million cattle have already been vaccinated and the government is stepping up its efforts with further mass vaccinations planned for the hardest-hit provinces of KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Free State, and North West.
Vaccinations will be repeated within three months to protect feedlots, dairy herds, and commercial and communal livestock.
Supplies of vaccines are running out, but another one million doses are due to arrive soon in the coming weeks and a further five million doses by March 2026.
Local vaccine production has been increased, with other supplies coming in from Botswana and Turkey.
