More than one million cattle vaccinated in North West’s battle against Foot-and-Mouth Disease

More than one million cattle have now been vaccinated against Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in North West, marking a major breakthrough in efforts to contain the outbreak and protect one of the province’s most important agricultural sectors.

The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development announced on Monday that 1 032 615 cattle had been vaccinated by 19 July 2026, placing the province among the country’s top performers in the national FMD vaccination programme.

The mass vaccination campaign, launched in March, has already reached about 74% of the province’s estimated cattle population, with authorities aiming to achieve 80% coverage by the end of August, a key benchmark for establishing herd immunity and slowing the spread of the disease.

North West MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Madoda Sambatha hailed the achievement as a significant milestone in the province’s battle against the highly contagious livestock disease.

“Reaching more than one million vaccinated cattle is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the commitment, professionalism and hard work of our veterinary teams, who have worked tirelessly across all four districts of the province,” Sambatha said.

“This milestone brings us closer to our goal of vaccinating at least 80% of the provincial herd by the end of August and, ultimately, every eligible animal in the province.”

The vaccination drive comes as government intensifies efforts to curb the spread of FMD, which poses a serious threat to livestock production, animal trade and rural livelihoods.

Despite celebrating the milestone, Sambatha warned that the campaign was entering a crucial phase and that farmers and veterinary officials could not afford to lower their guard.

“While we celebrate this progress, we must remain focused on the work that still lies ahead. This is not the finish line; it is an important step in a much longer journey towards controlling and eventually eradicating the disease,” he said.

The MEC stressed that vaccinated cattle would still require a second dose to ensure full protection against the disease.

“This achievement does not mean that officials or farmers can relax. We have completed a significant portion of the first round of vaccinations, but once this phase is concluded, we must return to administer a second dose to all vaccinated animals. Full protection depends on completing the vaccination schedule,” Sambatha added.

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