South Africa is battling its worst foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in decades, but authorities say a newly produced local vaccine could be a turning point for the livestock industry. The highly contagious viral disease affects cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, causing fever and painful blisters in the mouth and on the hooves. While rarely fatal, it sharply reduces milk production and forces quarantine measures, leading to trade restrictions, export losses and rising veterinary costs for farmers. For months, livestock producers have struggled to shield their herds as infections spread. The economic toll has been significant, particularly in a sector that supports both domestic food supply and agricultural exports.
In response, the government announced on Friday that foot-and-mouth vaccines are being produced domestically for the first time in 21 years. The initial batch includes 12,900 multi-strain doses, aimed at boosting an already ongoing vaccination drive. Authorities said about two million animals had been vaccinated by the end of January, largely with imported doses. The locally made supply is expected to speed up coverage, with plans to make an additional five million doses available by March. The vaccine rollout forms part of a broader, multi-phase strategy. Stricter testing, movement controls and surveillance checks are set to continue through the winter and into summer to curb transmission and detect new outbreaks early. Officials say the goal is to cut outbreaks by more than 70% in high-risk areas by next January, easing pressure on farmers and helping South Africa gradually restore access to key export markets.
