Gauteng ramps up vaccination as foot-and-mouth cases rise

Gauteng has intensified its response to the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak after confirmed cases rose to 228, up from 173 recorded in January.

Agriculture MEC Vuyiswa Ramokgopa said the increase reflects intensified surveillance rather than uncontrolled spread, with all affected farms under quarantine.

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Since the outbreak began, 297 413 animals have been affected across communal, dairy and commercial farms. Authorities have administered 268 315 vaccine doses and culled 128 925 animals as part of containment efforts.

The province has now entered a large-scale vaccination phase, with Gauteng allocated 70 000 doses from a national procurement of one million vaccines.

Ramokgopa warned that the outbreak carries risks for food price inflation, particularly for lower-income households.

“One of the implications of FMD is that even once animals have been cleared, certain parts of the animal such as heads and offal may not be used,” she said.

These products form an important part of the diets of many lower-income communities. If they become unavailable, households may be forced to switch to more expensive sources of protein, adding financial pressure.

“There certainly is a risk to food price inflation,” she said.

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FMD outbreaks also have implications for exports.

Dr Wynton Rabolao, chief director for veterinary services in Gauteng, said outbreaks inevitably affect a country’s ability to export livestock products.

“When there’s an outbreak, it will affect your ability to export,” he said, noting that different trading partners apply different rules.

He said some markets may accept treated and deboned meat under strict conditions, but authorities cannot dictate terms to trading partners.

“If they indicate willingness, we will ensure the product meets the requirements.”

Regarding dairy, Rabolao confirmed that earlier restrictions linked to vaccination have been relaxed, and milk from vaccinated but healthy animals is safe.

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The outbreak remains concentrated in Germiston, Randfontein and Tshwane, with authorities tightening movement controls and enforcement.

While government says containment measures are expanding, the scale of the outbreak and its impact on prices, exports and supply chains poses risks to the agricultural sector.

* Likho Mbuka is a Moneyweb intern.  

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