South Africa's FMD Vaccination Drive Achieves Major Milestone with Cattle Ear-Tagging
In the uMgungundlovu District of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, a significant foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccination drive has been completed, marking a major milestone in animal traceability. The campaign, led by state veterinary teams, successfully vaccinated over 84,000 animals and ear-tagged more than 29,000 cattle. This effort is part of a broader initiative to manage disease outbreaks, monitor livestock movements, and support market access requirements. The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development reported that the campaign covered 197 designated dip tanks across seven local municipalities, including 77 commercial farms. The district is the fifth in the province to complete the vaccination program, following similar efforts in Ugu, Harry Gwala, uMkhanyakude, and Zululand districts.