CAPE TOWN: The Western Cape’s battle against foot-and-mouth disease received a significant boost on Tuesday night (10 March) as 100 000 vaccine doses arrived at Cape Town International Airport, marking the latest milestone in the province’s intensified response to the livestock outbreak.
The new shipment brings the total number of vaccine doses received by the Western Cape to 162 120, as authorities work to contain the disease that threatens one of the province’s most critical economic sectors.
Premier Alan Winde and provincial agriculture minister Ivan Meyer announced that the vaccines will be distributed across the West Coast, Cape Winelands, and Garden Route districts through a coordinated “war room” approach.
Vaccination drive shows progress
Since the outbreak was first confirmed, the provincial vaccination campaign has made substantial headway. To date, 48 612 animals have been vaccinated across 276 vaccination sites throughout the province, with 29 private veterinarians working alongside state veterinarians to accelerate the process.
“The arrival of the 100 000 additional vaccine doses marks a significant turning point,” said Meyer, who personally received the shipment. “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.”
Multi-pronged response strategy
The provincial government has implemented a comprehensive 21-point response plan that extends beyond vaccination. Warning signs have been erected along all major highways connecting the Western Cape to neighbouring provinces, while checkpoints have been established on several major roads to monitor livestock movement.
The strategy encompasses four key areas: movement control with 24/7 border monitoring, surveillance and traceability through rapid veterinary response, enforcement protocols, and recovery operations including quarantine monitoring.
Industry collaboration key to success
The response effort has been bolstered by strong industry support, with key stakeholders including the Milk Producers Organisation, Red Meat Producers, Milk SA, Agri Western Cape, and Shoprite all contributing to containment efforts.
Winde, who chairs weekly joint operation meetings with all stakeholders including municipalities, emphasised the collaborative nature of the response. “We will continue to intensify the response plan to protect this critical sector of our economy,” he said. “In everything we do, we aim to protect growth, livelihoods and jobs.”
He is also maintaining regular contact with national agriculture minister John Steenhuisen to establish a livestock movement permitting system that would further strengthen the Western Cape’s containment strategy.
As vaccination efforts scale up across the affected districts, authorities report encouraging progress in bringing the outbreak under control, offering hope for the province’s vital agricultural sector.
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