SA farmers fear new FMD wave as vaccine gaps and illegal imports raise alarm

SOUTH AFRICA – Eastern Cape farmers in South Africa now fear a fresh wave of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) as new cases appear across the country and efforts to control the outbreak face pressure.

Many farmers had just regained hope after quarantine measures ended last year. That hope has faded as infections rise again and the disease moves across provinces. Veterinarians say they struggle to slow the spread because livestock and wildlife both carry the virus.

Farmers face rising risk

FMD does not threaten human health, but it causes serious losses for farmers. Some experts now question whether the virus may spread beyond direct contact, since cases increase at a fast pace across several animal species.

Eastern Cape saw local outbreaks two years ago, with confirmed cases in Kouga Municipality and the northeastern parts of the province. In recent months, more farms have reported infections, while the Northern Cape remains the only province without confirmed cases.

Several dairy farms in Kouga faced quarantine for 12 months, which disrupted production and trade. Farmers now worry that another outbreak could push them into deeper financial strain.

A veterinarian working in the field said the situation continues to worsen. “We see new cases almost every day, and controlling movement of animals has become very difficult,” the veterinarian said.

Vaccine control debate

The government has stepped up its response through a national FMD plan developed by a ministerial task team that includes scientists, veterinarians, and academics. Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen said the state has already acquired and administered two million vaccines.

“Import permits for the Dollvet vaccine was issued to Dunevax and an additional import permit to import the Biogénesis Bagó vaccine is imminent,” Steenhuisen said.

The government rejected calls for unrestricted vaccine imports and warned that such action could cause serious harm. Steenhuisen cited illegal vaccine imports in KwaZulu-Natal as a key example of the risks.

“In order to regain the ‘FMD-free status with vaccination’ from the World Organisation for Animal Health, South Africa must prove there has been no virus transmission for at least 12 months,” he said.

Steenhuisen warned that without strict state oversight, the country could lose export markets and weaken its long-term strategy against FMD. He added that private industry and veterinarians remain part of the response as vaccination continues.

As farmers brace for further losses, the country now faces a critical test of whether coordinated action can slow the disease before it spreads further.

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