The Western Cape province has received over 597,000 doses of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine from the Department of Agriculture, with approximately 480,000 doses already administered across the province.
Following a recent meeting of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture Foot-and-Mouth Disease Task Team, the Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism for the province, Dr. Ivan Meyer, presented a report on the province's actions regarding the FMD outbreak.
Vaccination efforts covered all districts, resulting in over 382,209 primary vaccinations, which accounts for 82% of the province's livestock population. Additionally, 97,560 booster vaccinations were conducted. In total, 479,769 animals, including commercial and subsistence livestock, have been vaccinated.
Meyer noted that the Western Cape's response to FMD demonstrates the potential of collaboration between government, farmers, private veterinarians, industry stakeholders, and local communities. He emphasized that despite ongoing challenges, significant progress has been made in containing the disease and protecting one of the province's most vital agricultural sectors.
The first FMD outbreak in the Western Cape was confirmed on November 3, 2025, on a farm near Gouda in the Cape Winelands district. The affected farm housed 679 cattle and 1,597 sheep. Since then, the Western Cape Department of Agriculture implemented an aggressive containment and response strategy based on a comprehensive 21-point plan.
The Minister stated that every suspected outbreak is treated with maximum urgency. Veterinary teams continue investigations, monitoring, and tracking of potential infections to prevent further spread and protect farmers and the entire agricultural economy.
The province has also strengthened its capacity to respond to diseases by establishing an innovative Foot-and-Mouth Disease Task Team, improving surveillance systems, movement control, quarantine measures, traceability programs, and public awareness campaigns. These measures are supported by a state veterinary service comprising 103 specialists and staff with a budget of 152 million rand.
Meyer indicated that the successful response was ensured by transparency, cooperation, and evidence-based decision-making. He added that the Western Cape's 21-point plan, combined with the work of the FMD Task Team, enabled early coordination, rapid response, and targeted vaccination. The trust built between the government and stakeholders strengthened the ability to manage the outbreak effectively.
He thanked farmers, veterinary professionals, organized agriculture, industry partners, municipalities, and officials for their continuous cooperation. Meyer concluded that protecting animal health is critical for preserving jobs, food security, and economic growth in the Western Cape, and they remain committed to working with all stakeholders to contain FMD and ensure the long-term sustainability of the agricultural sector.