What's Happening?
KwaZulu-Natal's MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa, has announced the arrival of one million foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccines from Biogénesis Bagó in Argentina. The vaccines were received at OR Tambo International
Airport by the Department of Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen. KwaZulu-Natal, one of the provinces most severely affected by the FMD outbreak, will receive 200,000 doses from this shipment. The distribution plan includes allocations to other provinces such as Free State, Eastern Cape, and Mpumalanga. KaMadlopha-Mthethwa stated that 45 teams will be deployed to conduct vaccinations across KwaZulu-Natal, aiming to vaccinate 2.45 million cattle within four to six months.
Why It's Important?
The arrival of FMD vaccines is a critical development for the livestock industry in South Africa, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, which has been severely affected by the outbreak. Vaccination is essential to control the spread of the disease, which can have devastating effects on livestock health and the agricultural economy. The deployment of vaccination teams and the planned distribution of doses across various provinces demonstrate a coordinated effort to address the crisis. This initiative is expected to safeguard the health of millions of cattle, thereby supporting the livelihoods of farmers and the stability of the agricultural sector.
