JOHANNESBURG – South African authorities announced Wednesday they have secured 2 million foot-and-mouth disease vaccines from Turkey as they work to control what officials describe as the nation’s most devastating outbreak in recent memory.
The agriculture department confirmed the vaccines, provided by Turkish company Dollvet, will be sent to various provinces over the next several days. Distribution will be prioritized based on livestock populations and risk levels in each area.
Officials have placed orders for an additional 4 million doses from the same Turkish supplier to bolster their vaccination campaign.
The viral disease spreads rapidly among livestock, particularly cattle, creating painful sores in animals’ mouths and on their feet. While rarely deadly for mature cattle, the infection significantly reduces livestock productivity and causes substantial economic losses.
Livestock producers have sharply criticized government officials for their response to the crisis, with some farmers reporting severe financial damages and threatening court action over the handling of the situation.
South Africa has also secured 5 million additional vaccine doses from Argentina, which will arrive in two separate shipments once the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority approves their import.
This vaccination effort marks a significant milestone, as February saw the country deploy its first foot-and-mouth vaccines in two decades to address critical supply shortages.
The agriculture department has set an ambitious target of vaccinating 80% of South Africa’s cattle population, estimated at approximately 14 million animals nationwide.
Officials also announced plans to provide some vaccine supplies to pig farmers, as swine are also susceptible to foot-and-mouth disease infection.
