Western Cape boosts FMD fight with 50 000 new vaccine doses

WESTERN CAPE – The Western Cape has received a major boost in its efforts to contain foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), with the arrival of 50 000 additional vaccine doses aimed at strengthening the province’s response to the crippling outbreak.

In a joint statement released today (12 April), Premier Alan Winde and Dr. Ivan Meyer (Western Cape minister of agriculture, economic development and tourism) welcomed the latest shipment, describing it as critical to protecting both the agricultural sector and the broader economy.

Winde said the province’s response continued to make strong progress, with the new consignment expected to accelerate vaccination efforts across livestock populations.

“This latest shipment will further bolster our drive to vaccinate the province’s entire herd and is critical in protecting our economy and jobs. I want to thank all our partners who continue to work with us in containing and ultimately eradicating FMD in our province.”

The additional doses were secured through a partnership with Dairy Management Consulting with offices in Cape Town and George.

To date, more than 155 000 vaccine doses have been administered across 629 sites, supported by 29 private veterinarians in the Western Cape.

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Winde also indicated that the provincial government is working towards procuring its own FMD vaccines in future, a move he said would streamline and strengthen response efforts.

Although the outbreak remains under control, he warned that vigilance is essential. “We must remain alert and agile. By working together, we can protect both our provincial herd and our economy,” he said.

Meyer echoed these sentiments, highlighting the importance of strict monitoring systems. “We continue to prioritise the strengthening of systems that monitor and manage animal movement across the province. These controls are one of our most important lines of defence against the further spread of FMD,” he said.

The Western Cape Government also acknowledged the role of private sector partners, including Nova Feeds with the head office in Wellington, which funded the flight transporting the latest vaccine consignment to the province.