South Africa began a nationwide cattle vaccination campaign Friday to contain a rapidly spreading foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.
The epidemic, which intensified late last year, has already affected over 297,000 cattle and forced the culling of more than 120,000 animals.
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen said the mass vaccination strategy aims to prevent further outbreaks rather than respond reactively to the disease.
A million doses arrived from Turkey this week, with more vaccines expected this weekend, though supply remains far below the twelve-million required.
The outbreak threatens meat and dairy shortages, job losses, and millions of dollars in lost revenue, as China and Zambia ban exports.
KwaZulu-Natal, identified as the outbreak’s hotspot, has over 17,000 affected farms and has been declared a national disaster.
This legal designation allows the government to allocate emergency funds, with the national treasury providing approximately $25 million for vaccine procurement.
Farmers struggle as quarantines halt trade, cattle sales, and exports, creating a cascading impact across the meat and dairy industries.
Dr. Dirk Verwoerd, veterinarian at Karan Beef, described the crisis as “completely out of control,” with daily reports of new infections nationwide.
He said both primary producers and consumers suffer, as supply shortages prevent slaughtering, sales, and distribution, driving prices higher.
Karan Beef’s Heidelberg feedlot spans 2,300 hectares and houses more than 140,000 cattle, making it the country’s largest, central to national efforts.
Steenhuisen emphasised that vaccinating the national herd is essential to stabilise the livestock sector and restore confidence in South Africa’s meat markets.