Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreak Sparks Emergency Vaccination Effort

Key Takeaways

• South Africa aims to vaccinate its entire national herd against foot-and-mouth disease to combat a wave of outbreaks
• The Department of Agriculture plans to implement a comprehensive strategy to vaccinate the national herd and apply for recognition of freedom with vaccination status from the World Organisation of Animal Health (WOAH)
• The department aims to take delivery of two million doses of foot-and-mouth disease vaccines by February next year
• A new mid-scale vaccine production facility is being established to reduce dependence on imported vaccines
• The outbreaks have significantly impacted the livestock industry, with 274 reported outbreaks, mostly in KZN, and have pushed up beef prices in South Africa

Introduction to the Crisis
South Africa is facing a severe crisis in its livestock industry due to a wave of foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks. The Department of Agriculture has announced plans to vaccinate the entire national herd, which is estimated to number around 7.2 million cattle, in an effort to combat the disease and reopen export markets for South African beef products. This decision is seen as a courageous step towards protecting the country’s cattle herd and continuing its red meat export focus. The outbreaks have had a significant impact on the industry, with 274 reported cases, mostly in the province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), and have led to a surge in beef prices, contributing to food inflation.

The Impact on the Livestock Industry
The livestock industry is a critical component of South Africa’s economy, accounting for about half of the farming sector. The outbreaks have not only affected commercial farming operations but also smaller herds owned by subsistence farmers grazing on communal, unfenced pastures. The epicentre of the outbreak remains in KZN, where dairy farmers have been hit the hardest. The most affected districts are Kokstad, Dundee, Underberg, and Dannhauser. The department has reported that despite vaccinating 931,200 animals with government-procured vaccine stocks over the past three months, uncontrolled animal movement continues to undermine containment efforts and prolong the crisis.

The Vaccination Strategy
The Department of Agriculture plans to implement a comprehensive strategy to vaccinate the national herd, with the aim of taking delivery of two million doses of foot-and-mouth disease vaccines by February next year. The strategy will target the worst-affected provinces first, including KZN, Gauteng, Free State, Mpumalanga, and North West. These provinces will be required to submit their livestock numbers and list of quarantined farms. The department is also working on establishing a new mid-scale vaccine production facility as part of the national biosecurity strengthening programme to reduce dependence on imported vaccines.

Challenges and Collaborations
The logistics of the vaccination campaign will be a significant challenge, and the department will need to reengage with export markets to inform them of the steps being taken to combat the disease. The department is working closely with Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) and the Agricultural Research Council to formalize public-private partnerships with domestic industry and international partners, including China and Argentina, who have offered technical cooperation and support regarding vaccine provision. However, no mention was made of the estimated costs involved, which are likely to be substantial.

Conclusion and Future Prospects
The decision to vaccinate the entire national herd is a significant step towards combating the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak and protecting South Africa’s livestock industry. The successful implementation of the vaccination strategy will depend on the department’s ability to overcome the challenges of logistics and collaboration with various stakeholders. If successful, the vaccination campaign could help to ease the jitters in the industry, reduce beef prices, and get farmers back on their feet. The establishment of a new vaccine production facility will also help to reduce dependence on imported vaccines and strengthen the country’s biosecurity. Ultimately, the goal is to reopen export markets for South African beef products and restore the industry to its former glory.