Latest news with #FootandMouthDisease
The South African
an hour ago
- Health
- The South African
SA pushes local foot and mouth vaccine after R72m spend
South Africa has spent over R72 million on about 900 000 doses of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccines since March this year. The government is now focusing on manufacturing vaccines locally to respond more quickly to outbreaks and protect agricultural stakeholders from severe economic losses. The Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Council (ARC). The University of Pretoria and Onderstepoort Biological Products are leading a two-day Foot and Mouth Indaba. The gathering aims to develop long-lasting solutions to prevent future outbreaks and reduce dependence on costly imports. Karan Beef, one of South Africa's largest beef producers, just reopened after the outbreak forced it to halt operations, resulting in heavy financial losses. Speaking with SABC News , Dr Dirk Verwoerd, senior veterinarian at Karan Beef, said, 'We closed all three feedlots for two months. That caused severe economic destruction.' Verwoerd stressed that readily available and effective vaccines could have prevented the crisis. 'You have to have strategic vaccines and enough of them,' he added. The outbreak, which began in 2021, spread rapidly across several provinces, driving up demand for vaccines. South Africa currently depends on imports from countries like Botswana, a situation that experts describe as unsustainable and expensive. ARC President and CEO Dr Litha Magingxa confirmed that researchers are close to finalising a locally developed vaccine. 'South Africa has made great progress in vaccine development. We have a vaccine that's now being registered, and we are finalising some of the remaining trials,' said Magingxa. The government has urged the private sector to provide stronger financial backing to speed up the production of locally manufactured vaccines. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
a day ago
- Business
- IOL News
Steenhuisen calls for a robust strategy to combat Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak
This comes as the agricultural industry is reeling from the economic toll of the ongoing FMD outbreak, with losses that run into hundreds of millions of rand and threatened food security. Image: Neo Ntsoma/Independent Newspapers Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, has decried the country's level of preparedness to deal with the outbreak of the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). This comes as the agricultural industry is reeling from the economic toll of the ongoing FMD outbreak, with losses that run into hundreds of millions of rand and threatened food security. Speaking at the FMD Indaba on Monday, Steenhuisen said the disease has brought sobering lessons to light, exposing weaknesses in the response system during the most recent outbreak. 'What we saw was a response system stretched to its limits, with breakdowns in communication, severe delays in vaccine availability, confusion over movement controls, and an alarming lack of readiness at several levels of government. Farmers were unsure of the measures. Provinces were uncertain of the protocols. And while the virus spread, trust in the State's capacity to respond continued to erode,' Steenhuisen said. 'One of the most damaging consequences of this outbreak was our inability to contain the economic fallout. Because South Africa has no functional regionalisation framework, the entire country was penalised through the eyes of our trading partners, despite the outbreak being localised to specific zones. Exports of cloven-hoofed animals, and their products, were suspended or slowed. Jobs were lost. And the reputational damage to our animal health system is one that will take time, and action, to repair. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'The core lesson is this: we cannot continue managing FMD outbreaks with outdated structures and fragmented authority, hoping that a patchwork of short-term measures will deliver long-term stability. We need an innovative approach––one that is science-based, constitutionally aligned, and practically implementable.' As a result, Steenhuisen said the industry must urgently and properly regionalise its disease control framework. Steenhuisen said every credible trading nation acknowledges that a localized outbreak should not lead to sweeping restrictions across an entire country yet South Africa lags in establishing, certifying, and maintaining disease control zones that align with international standards. 'Let me be clear: the failure to regionalise is not due to a lack of veterinary science. It is due to a lack of institutional coordination, legal clarity and capacity,' he said. 'To address this, I have appointed two senior veterinarians, Dr Emily Mogajane and Dr Nomsa Mnisi with extensive field, government and international trade experience to lead the development of a comprehensive national regionalisation framework.' Steenhuisen said another glaring issue during the outbreak was the lack of vaccine availability. With the national FMD vaccine bank depleted, South Africa was forced to import vaccines from Botswana, underscoring a system that is not sustainable given our livestock footprint and export ambitions. Steenhuisen said the government was stabilising Onderstepoort Biological Products, the leading distributor of livestock vaccines, but that will take time thus vaccine security requires private sector partnership. 'We are calling on the livestock industry, especially the red meat, dairy and game sectors, to begin co-financing vaccine procurement,' Steenhuisen said. 'This does not mean you will manage the vaccines or the cold chains. But it does mean that, like in other agro-industries, we establish structured partnerships that ensure we are not caught unprepared again.' Furthermore, Steenhuisen said infrastructure deficits within the protection zones have hindered effective movement control. He said animals are often moved illegally due to the absence of local abattoirs or feedlots, complicating the enforcement of necessary regulations. As a result, he said funding will be allocated this year to support the establishment of feedlots and abattoirs within the protection zones, predominantly in Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, and Mpumalanga, creating rural jobs and aiding the enforcement of FMD control measures. To combat the spread of animal diseases and address the growing challenges of climate change, Steenhuisen said investment in scientific research and development was essential. Steenhuisen said initiatives were underway to collaborate with the National Agricultural Marketing Council to earmark a portion of statutory levies for research targeting both animal health and climate resilience. He also said the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) was poised for a resurgence, having recently achieved a surplus, signalling the potential for a renewed focus on core scientific capabilities. Strategic partnerships with institutions such as the University of Pretoria's Biosecurity Hub are set to elevate South Africa's research ecosystem to meet both biosecurity and climate challenges, fostering a more resilient agricultural sector. 'To ensure that these outcomes of this Indaba are not just aspirational but actionable, I will be appointing a dedicated team immediately after this gathering to consolidate the proposals and insights shared here today,' he said. 'This team will be tasked with finalising a practical, time-bound operational plan, one that reflects both the urgency of our challenge and the collective wisdom in this room. That plan will be presented to me within a defined timeframe and will serve as the blueprint for our implementation going forward.' BUSINESS REPORT
The South African
15-07-2025
- Health
- The South African
Foot and mouth disease outbreak confirmed in Free State
The Department of Agriculture has confirmed a new outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in the Free State. Investigators detected the latest case on a commercial farm in Moqhaka Local Municipality, within the Kroonstad State Veterinary area. Veterinary authorities placed the affected property under quarantine on 8 July 2025. By 10 July, lab results confirmed the outbreak. The department responded immediately by deploying control measures, including surveillance, livestock vaccination, and containment protocols. Investigators have launched trace-back activities to identify the source of the infection. Meanwhile, farms located within a 10-kilometre radius of the affected site are undergoing monitoring to assess the possible spread. As of July 2025, South Africa has recorded 270 outbreaks of FMD across five provinces. Authorities report that 249 outbreaks remain active, while they have resolved only 21. KwaZulu-Natal continues to bear the brunt of the outbreaks, reporting 191 cases, of which 172 are still open. In the Eastern Cape, authorities have recorded 40 outbreaks, with two resolved and no new infections since September 2024. Gauteng has reported 32 cases since May 2025. North West has four active outbreaks, and Mpumalanga has recorded three cases to date. The Department of Agriculture has urged farmers and stakeholders to cooperate fully with veterinary teams as the investigation and containment efforts continue. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
14-07-2025
- Health
- IOL News
New foot and mouth disease outbreak confirmed in Free State
The Department of Agriculture has confirmed a new outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) on a commercial farm in the Free State. Image: File The Department of Agriculture has confirmed a new outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) on a commercial farm in the Free State. IOL previously reported that the country has been battling FMD for several months, prompting key trading partners, including Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, and China, to suspend imports of meat and related animal products from the country. The affected farm is located in the Moqhaka Local Municipality near Kroonstad and has been placed under quarantine as officials work to contain the spread. In a statement issued to the media on Monday, the department emphasised that the affected properties were placed under quarantine on July 8, 2025, and immediate control measures were implemented. "The affected property was placed under quarantine on 8 July 2025, and immediate control measures were implemented, including surveillance and vaccination," the department said. "Traceback activities are ongoing to determine the source of the infection, while farms in the surrounding 10-km radius are undergoing surveillance to determine the possible extent of the spread". Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ According to the department, as of July 2025, a total of 270 FMD outbreaks have been reported across five provinces in South Africa. Of these, 249 outbreaks remain unresolved, while 21 have undergone resolution. "Eastern Cape has recorded 40 outbreaks, with 38 still open and two resolved. There have been no new reported cases in the Eastern Cape since September 2024. KwaZulu-Natal has been the most affected province, with 191 reported outbreaks, of which 172 remain active and 19 have been resolved. "Since May 2025, Gauteng has reported 32 outbreaks, North West has four open outbreaks, while Mpumalanga has reported three outbreaks." The Department has also issued a correction to a recent Government Gazette notice regarding the Disease Management Area (DMA) in KwaZulu-Natal. The new notice (Gazette Notice 6396 of 4 July 2025) replaces the previous notice (Gazette Notice 5997 of 17 March 2025) and corrects the omission of several areas that remain under DMA restrictions. "We sincerely apologise for any confusion caused and request all stakeholders to take note of the following areas that are declared to be part of the KwaZulu-Natal DMA:" These include the whole of the following local municipalities: Big Five Hlabisa, Mtubatuba, Nongoma, Ulundi, Umhlabuyalingana, Jozini, Pongola, Abaqulusi, Umfolozi, uMhlathuze, Mthonjaneni, Nqutu, Nkandla, uMlalazi, and Mandeni. Also included are portions of the following municipalities: Emadlangeni (south of R34 from R33), Newcastle (south of R34 and east of N11), Dannhauser (east of N11 and north of R68), Endumeni (north of R68 and east of R33), Msinga (east of R33), UMvoti (east of R33 up to R74 and north of R74), Maphumulo (north-east of R74), Ndwedwe (east of R74), and KwaDukuza (north-east of R74 up to the N2 and west to the N2 up to Mandeni). IOL Business Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
IOL News
04-07-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Foot and Mouth Disease update: Restrictions lifted in Eastern Cape and Limpopo
The Minister of Agriculture has lifted disease management areas in key provinces, signalling a successful effort to combat Foot and Mouth Disease Image: Pexels/Pixabay Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, has announced the lifting of the disease management areas (DMAs) in the Eastern Cape and Limpopo provinces, following successful containment of the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreaks. This decision comes after rigorous veterinary interventions and vaccination efforts yielded positive results, ensuring the safety and health of local livestock and safeguarding the livelihoods of many farmers. The DMAs in question were initiated in response to FMD incidents that posed a serious threat to cattle health and agricultural productivity. In the Kouga and Kou-Kamma municipalities of Eastern Cape, the DMA had been operational since July 26, 2024, aimed at controlling FMD outbreaks. Through extensive vaccination campaigns, a remarkable 144,424 doses were administered to bolster herd immunity. The last reported cases of FMD in this area were in September 2024, and following thorough serological surveys conducted by the department, officials are confident that the disease has been effectively contained. As a result, the movement restrictions previously imposed under the DMA in Eastern Cape were officially lifted, as published in the Government Gazette. This alteration brings a sense of relief to local farmers and communities keen to resume normal operations. However, Minister Steenhuisen emphasised that while restrictions have been relaxed, continued vigilance is essential for maintaining biosecurity. In Limpopo, the situation mirrors that of the Eastern Cape. The DMA had been in place since September 2022, primarily focusing on FMD control within diptanks in the Vhembe Municipality. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Here, a total of 23,024 vaccinations were conducted across 34 diptanks, and post-vaccination evaluations confirmed the absence of FMD virus. The lifting of restrictions in Limpopo follows these results, allowing added freedom for farmers in the region. Despite the positive developments in Eastern Cape and Limpopo, the fight against FMD is not over. The Minister noted that the DMA in KwaZulu-Natal will stay intact due to ongoing signs of active virus circulation in that region. In response to recent outbreaks detected beyond the current DMA, stringent biosecurity measures are being enforced, including assessments of individual farm protocols to ensure maximum protection against further infections. In a proactive move, the Department of Agriculture has decided to permit milk from the 76 farms in Eastern Cape under quarantine to enter local markets after undergoing single pasteurisation, rather than the double pasteurisation required during the active disease phase. This careful relaxation of restrictions aims to support the local economy while ensuring that heightened safety measures remain a priority. Minister Steenhuisen reiterated the crucial role of community involvement in biosecurity efforts. He stated, 'Biosecurity is not just a farming concern, but a shared responsibility of every individual in South Africa. We call on all citizens, especially those interacting with livestock or moving between rural areas, to consistently adhere to all biosecurity measures. Only through our collective efforts can we safeguard our agricultural sector, protect livelihoods, and ensure FMD-free areas.' IOL
