In a pressing call to action, South Africa’s Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, has raised the alarm over the ongoing spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), urging the Department of Agriculture to accelerate its response to the escalating crisis.
During a recent visit to the province, Minister Steenhuisen met with local farmers and community leaders who expressed deep concern over what they described as a sluggish and ineffective response to controlling the disease. “This lack of sufficient action is jeopardising farmers’ livelihoods, the agricultural industry, and the economy. This needs to stop. Immediately,” Steenhuisen stated.
A Growing Crisis
KwaZulu-Natal is currently grappling with 147 active outbreaks of FMD. Although the Department of Agriculture has implemented several control measures, including the designation of Disease Management Areas (DMA) since 2021, new infections continue to emerge outside these zones. The SAT2 strain of the virus, first detected in the province, has proven particularly difficult to contain.
Last month, in an effort to halt the virus’s spread, the minister extended the boundaries of the DMA. However, these measures alone have not been enough to stop the spread.
National Biosecurity Under Pressure
FMD is classified as a controlled animal disease under South Africa’s Animal Diseases Act. Symptoms such as excessive salivation, blisters in the mouth, limping, and hoof lesions must be reported immediately to the local State Veterinarian. Critically, affected animals must not be moved.
Minister Steenhuisen has now instructed the department to urgently address key challenges, particularly the delay in vaccine acquisition and distribution. “The slow progress in strengthening our national biosecurity and acquiring vital vaccines presents significant risks that this government views with serious concern,” he said.
He has directed the department to:
- Engage the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) to assist in monitoring and controlling the movement of animals;
- Prioritise the identification of alternative livestock sales sites and abattoirs within the DMA to support affected farmers;
- Fast-track the procurement and provision of FMD vaccines to meet urgent demand;
- Explore mechanisms to declare a state of disaster in KZN;
- Closely monitor the implementation and enforcement of the permit system for animal movement.
Contrasting Progress in the Eastern Cape
While KZN continues to battle the disease, the Eastern Cape has seen marked progress. No new clinical cases have been reported since July 2024, and previously affected farms have remained disease-free since September. However, the lifting of DMA restrictions has been postponed following suspicious test results from two properties.
Nationwide, strict biosecurity protocols introduced in 2022 remain in force. These include mandatory health declarations for livestock movement and a 28-day isolation period for newly introduced cloven-hoofed animals.
A Call for Unity and Urgency
Minister Steenhuisen has emphasised that the control of FMD is not only an agricultural issue but a matter of national economic stability. The disease threatens not only the livestock sector but also export markets and food security across the country.
“Every day of delay puts more farmers at risk, more livelihoods in danger, and further strains our agricultural systems. We must act — and we must act now,” Steenhuisen concluded.
What Farmers Can Do:
- Report any suspicious symptoms to local veterinary authorities immediately.
- Do not move any animals showing signs of FMD.
- Follow all DMA and national biosecurity regulations.
- Cooperate with local officials in implementing movement restrictions and vaccination campaigns.
For the latest updates and support, visit the Department of Agriculture’s website or contact your local State Veterinary Office.
This is a dynamically generated comment by Isabella Rodriguez.