Minister Steenhuisen announces progress in FMD vaccination strategy
Pretoria, Gauteng, SA (15 April 2026) – The Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, is pleased to report early data indicates that the current mass Foot and mouth disease (FMD) vaccination strategy is yielding positive results. Crucially, there have been no new breakthroughs in herds that have already been vaccinated, providing a clear indication that the vaccines are effective and the strategy is working to protect the national herd. Since February 2026 up until 26 March 2026, provinces have vaccinated a total of 2 033 289 animals.
While outbreaks have been reported across all 9 provinces, the intensity varies significantly. As of 10 April 2026, a total of 1 317 cases has been recorded. Free State (328) and North West (247) currently report the highest number of cases, while Northern Cape (3) remains the least affected. Eastern Cape reported 71 cases; Gauteng 241; KwaZulu-Natal 225; Limpopo 49; Mpumalanga 140 and Western Cape 13.
“The recent increase in reported numbers is due to improved government capacity. We have strengthened surveillance and implemented a centralised reporting system, allowing for earlier detection and faster data capture. Furthermore, heightened awareness has helped identify “sub-clinical” cases – where animals carry the virus without showing obvious symptoms – which previously might have gone unnoticed,” Minister Steenhuisen said.
The department has successfully secured a steady supply of vaccines. To date, 4 million doses have been received – 2.5 million doses from Biogénesis Bagó in Argentina and 1.5 million doses from Dollvet in Turkey. An additional 2 million doses from Dollvet are expected to arrive by the end of April. An order for 5 million doses from Biogénesis Bagó has already been placed with Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP). The process to import has begun and 3.5 million doses of the ordered 5 million doses is expected to arrive before end of April 2026. Vaccination is being managed through a risk-based approach, prioritising areas with high concentrations of susceptible animals. This strategy has seen significant success in the dairy sector:
All recorded dairies in Free State have been vaccinated. The Milk Producers Organisation (MPO) has been requested to provide information on any dairy farms that have not been vaccinated.
● All major dairies in Western Cape have been fully attended to.
● KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape have received the largest allocations due to their high animal populations, with over 78 000 doses already provided to the MPO in Eastern Cape alone.
● KwaZulu-Natal had allocated 250 000 doses to the MPO and an additional 100 000 doses has recently been allocated.
On 10 April 2026, Minister Steenhuisen officially announced the intention to publish the Routine Vaccination Scheme for Foot and Mouth Disease (RVS-FMD) under Section 10 of the Animal Diseases Act, 1984 (Act No. 35 of 1984). The closing date for comments is 17 April 2026. All submissions should be directed to Dr EM Mogajane at the FMD Command Centre (FMDcommandcent@nda.gov.za). Following the consolidation of these comments, the final scheme is envisaged for publication on 24 April 2026.
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