Source: APO
The North-West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has recorded no new cases of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in the province over the past week, marking a significant development in the province’s ongoing efforts to contain and curb the spread of the disease.
This is the first week since December 2025 that the province has recorded no new FMD cases, signalling a positive shift in the province’s fight against the disease and providing encouragement that the intensified vaccination and disease-control interventions are beginning to yield results.
The Department has been implementing a mass provincial FMD vaccination programme across all four districts and 18 local municipalities, as part of the broader national intervention to contain the disease and protect the provincial livestock sector.
To date, the province has received One million five hundred and seventy thousand one hundred (1,570,100) doses of FMD vaccines, with One million four hundred and thirteen thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine (1,413,859) animals vaccinated across the province.
The MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Madoda Sambatha, welcomed the latest development. “The fact that we have gone a full week without recording a new case of Foot-and-Mouth Disease is encouraging and demonstrates the progress we are making through our collective efforts. However, we must remain vigilant. We urge all farmers and livestock owners to continue practising strict biosecurity measures on their farms and to report any suspected cases immediately to veterinary authorities,” said MEC Sambatha.
The MEC further emphasised that vaccination remains an important component of the province’s response but must be complemented by responsible livestock management and adherence to disease-control measures.
The Department anticipates commencing booster vaccinations in September 2026 in areas where animals have already received their initial vaccinations. This will take place alongside continued efforts to identify and vaccinate animals in areas that have not yet been reached by the vaccination programme.
The Department will continue working closely with farmers, organised agriculture, municipalities, traditional leaders and other stakeholders to strengthen disease surveillance, vaccination coverage and compliance with disease-control measures.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Department of Agriculture and Rural Development: Republic of South Africa.