HUMANSDORP – The delivery of South Africa’s first locally produced Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccines in over two decades is set to significantly strengthen containment efforts in the Kouga region.
With the Eastern Cape receiving 2,600 doses, the vaccines are expected to help curb the outbreak near Humansdorp and protect surrounding farms and livestock.
On 6 February, Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen and the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) handed over the first batch of locally produced FMD vaccines in over 20 years.
According to a press release by the Department of Agriculture, this milestone signals a shift from reactionary disease chasing to a proactive, science-led war on FMD.
“To our farmers who have watched their livelihoods disappear before their eyes, I hear you, and I feel the weight of this hardship with you. This has been a long, exhausting road, but I want you to know that help is not just coming, it is here,” said Steenhuisen.
“My Department and I will stop at nothing to ensure this disease is completely eradicated from our farms and communities.
“While the path to full recovery will take time, specifically through our focused ten-year strategy, we are finally moving from defence to offence. Please do not lose faith; we are building a system that will protect your herds for generations to come.”
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Breaking a 20-year hiatus, South Africa ceased local production in 2005 due to ageing technology and infrastructure, which were non-compliant with international Good Manufacturing Practice standards.
The statement indicates that the entity is now stepping into a new era.
“After nearly two decades of research and modernisation, the ARC has successfully produced its first 12,900 doses using modern bioreactor technology,” the statement said.
“This breakthrough involved identifying circulating regional strains and ensuring the vaccines provide high potency, long-lasting immunity that meets strict international biosafety standards.”
Providing an update to residents in the Kouga region on 9 February, Kouga Executive Mayor Hattingh Bornman said that a few additional cases of FMD have been reported, but the outbreak remains isolated to the Humansdorp area.
“We continue working closely with veterinary authorities, farmers and all relevant stakeholders to contain the situation and prevent any further spread,” said Bornman.
He said that the FMD vaccines will significantly strengthen containment efforts and help protect surrounding farms and livestock.
“Thank you to our local farmers for your cooperation, vigilance and commitment during this time. Reporting concerns early and adhering to the necessary protocols are critical in limiting the spread of the disease,” said Bornman.
“We remain in ongoing contact with provincial and national partners and are monitoring the situation closely.”
According to the Department’s statement, the 12,900 doses were produced at a pilot scale as proof of production concept for the new virus strains and production technology developed.
The initial distribution of this batch is as follows: Free State (2,300 doses), Eastern Cape (2,600 doses), North West (2,000 doses), Gauteng (2,000 doses), Limpopo (2,000 doses), and Mpumalanga (2,000 doses).
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