The Western Cape government has procured 20,000 vaccines to combat a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, focusing on vaccination for free-roaming livestock in affected areas.
In response to a declared outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in South Africa, the Western Cape government has secured 20,000 vaccines to immunize free-roaming livestock. Premier Alan Winde and Agriculture MEC Ivan Meyer supervised the initial vaccinations in Phesantekraal, targeting regions such as Makhaza and Mfuleni. The outbreak has prompted serious concerns as it has been classified as a national state of disaster by President Cyril Ramaphosa, emphasizing the urgency and potential impact on livestock populations and the agricultural economy.
The provincial government has enacted measures to curtail the spread of the disease, which primarily affects communal animals that are free to roam over large areas. Premier Winde highlighted the importance of these vaccines in implementing both protective and preventative public health strategies. Alongside the vaccination campaign, there are plans to impose a temporary halt on physical livestock auctions for 21 days, aiming to minimize the risk of further transmission of the disease while online auctions will continue unabated.
To reinforce these preventive strategies, a complete permitting system for animal movements has been introduced along with roadblocks to monitor and control the movements of livestock. These measures represent significant action to address the outbreak effectively, ensuring the health and safety of both livestock and the agricultural sector at large, which is vital to the economic stability of the region.
