In a significant escalation of its battle against a widespread livestock contagion, the North West Provincial government has commenced a mass vaccination campaign against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), deploying an initial 100,000 doses as the virus continues to sweep across the region.
The provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development confirmed that the outbreak has now infiltrated 16 of the province’s 18 municipalities, with a total of 158 confirmed cases recorded across all four districts. The figures underscore the urgency of the operation, which officially launched following a press conference on Thursday.
MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Madoda Sambatha, unveiled the initial consignment of Biogenesis Bago FMD Virus Vaccines at the Potchefstroom College of Agriculture. In a statement released Monday, officials confirmed that the first batch of cattle has already received injections, marking a decisive tactical shift from containment to proactive prevention.
“While priority will be given to the most affected areas, no farmer or village will be left behind,” MEC Sambatha emphasized during the launch. He noted that communal villages, often characterized by livestock movement and limited biosecurity measures, would be a critical focus for the campaign to build herd immunity and sever transmission pathways.
Alongside the clinical rollout, veterinary teams have been deployed for daily outreach, conducting information sessions and biosecurity awareness campaigns. Authorities are placing particular emphasis on precautionary quarantine farms and areas adjacent to buffalo populations, which are known vectors for the virus.
In a direct appeal to livestock owners, MEC Sambatha stressed that the success of the intervention hinges on cooperation and transparency. “Farmers must not keep quiet when they see signs,” he stated. “Do not hide cases. You must be the first to report them to your nearest veterinary clinic or extension officer. This sickness does not move on its own; it is moved by us when we move animals without care. That means we also have the power to stop it.”
The department has assured all communities that the current stockpile is only the first wave. Officials anticipate receiving additional consignments of vaccines in the near future to expand coverage and reinforce herd immunity across all districts.
The North West government has urged farmers to report suspicious symptoms immediately to veterinary facilities or extension officers, warning that decisive action is required to protect the agricultural economy, national food security, and rural livelihoods.