The Western Cape government has intensified its efforts to contain the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak after receiving 100,000 additional vaccine doses, as authorities ramp up a province-wide vaccination campaign to protect livestock and the agricultural economy.
The vaccines arrived at Cape Town International Airport on Tuesday night and will be distributed across the West Coast, Cape Winelands and Garden Route districts, where containment efforts are currently focused.
Provincial authorities say the rollout forms part of a coordinated response led by a provincial “war room”, which meets regularly to monitor progress and coordinate action among government and agricultural stakeholders.
So far, the vaccination programme has already seen 48,612 animals vaccinated, with 276 vaccination sites established across the province. The effort is being supported by 29 private veterinarians assisting state veterinarians, while the province has now received a total of 162,120 vaccine doses.
The Western Cape government has also stepped up movement control measures to prevent the spread of the disease. Warning road signs have been placed along major highways connecting the province to neighbouring regions, while checkpoints have been established along several key routes.
Authorities say the response is guided by a 21-point Foot-and-Mouth Disease response plan, which includes strict livestock movement controls, continuous border monitoring, surveillance and traceability measures, and enforcement of communication and by-law protocols.
The plan also outlines recovery measures such as cleaning operations and monitoring quarantine areas.
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde praised the collaboration between government and the agricultural sector in responding to the outbreak.
“All of this progress is made possible through collaboration,” said Winde.
“We will continue to intensify the response plan to protect this critical sector of our economy. I personally chair a weekly joint operation meeting with all stakeholders, including municipalities, to ensure that everything is being done to manage this crisis. In everything we do, we aim to protect growth, livelihoods and jobs.”
The response has also been supported by key agricultural organisations, including the Milk Producers Organisation, Red Meat Producers, Milk SA, Agri Western Cape and Shoprite.
Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Dr Ivan Meyer, said the additional vaccine doses would significantly boost the province’s vaccination drive.
“I want to echo the Premier’s gratitude to every role player who has worked tirelessly to bring this outbreak under control. Your dedication is the backbone of our collective progress,” Meyer said.
“The arrival of the 100,000 additional vaccine doses in the Western Cape marks a significant turning point. It means we can now accelerate vaccinations across the province, ensuring that we protect our livestock, support our farmers and strengthen this vital sector of our economy.”
Winde has also been engaging with national authorities to strengthen containment measures. The premier is in regular contact with Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen to ensure the implementation of a livestock movement permitting system aimed at tightening disease control across provincial borders.
Officials say the coordinated response is already showing encouraging progress as authorities work to fully immunise the provincial herd and limit the spread of the disease.
IOL News
Wendy Dondolo
iol.co.za