Another Possible Case of Foot and Mouth Disease Identified in Kokstad

By Sonica Naudé-Steyn

Unconfirmed reports of Foot and Mouth Disease being detected in the greater Kokstad region (apart from the case in Franklin), has farmers concerned for their livelihoods.
According to Limso Pound’s Chesta Mgumane, a suspected foot and mouse diseased animal was identified in Bhongweni and although it has to be officially confirmed by the authorities, the case has all the indications, signs and symptoms of FMD. Another case of FMD was identified in the Franklin area late last year and increased efforts have been made to stop the spread. This new case is a big concern to the local farming community as the disease has had devastating effects on the meat and dairy industry and the shortage of vaccines has posed further challenges.
Last Tuesday Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen announced a Mass Vaccination Strategy and called for a national state of disaster concerning Foot and Mouth Disease. According to the department this would immediately unlock more resources to fight the outbreak, and would bring about much better policing of the rules of movement of animals which would stem the spread. It would also allocate more policing resources from the SAPS, to help fight the outbreak.
According to a statement released by the Democratic Alliance, almost 2 million animals have been vaccinated since the importation of vaccines from Botswana began in 2025, and more than R72-million has been spent by government on these imported from Botswana.
“Steenhuisen’s very welcome announcement that immediate mass vaccinations will begin in the hardest hit provinces of KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Free State and North West, is good news. And the Minister’s commitment to repeat the mass vaccination in 3 months is a good strategic plan. This will amount to 100% vaccination of feedlots and dairy cows, 90% of commercial, and 80% of communal animals.”
The DA also welcomed the increased testing capacity which has been added, at ARC-OBP by working with existing state laboratories, for more timeous results to help identify infection and help prevent spreading.
“Additionally, the department has broadened their number of suppliers to include ARC, a local producer, who have now started to produce FMD vaccines again. Procurement of millions more vaccines from Argentina is a great credit to Minister Steenhuisen, as he has announced 1 million more doses procured in Argentina, to be sent in the coming two weeks upon necessary permits being obtained. The supplier in Argentina will make another 5 million vaccine doses available by March this year, which is a tremendous number. The DA agrees that South Africa needs more high-quality vaccines, with high-potency, and therefore the announcement that Dollvet vaccine has been approved for import from Turkey is good news.”
The DA believes that the Minister has set an ambitious but achievable target to reduce outbreak incidence by more than 70% in high-risk provinces, within 12 months. Steenhuisen’s longer-term objective is ensuring that South Africa is 100% free of Foot and Mouth Disease by the middle of the next decade.
The KwaZulu-Natal Agricultural Union (Kwanalu) has taken note of the national Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) Mass Vaccination Strategy, but emphasises that its affect now hinges on swift, coordinated implementation.
“Whilst we note the national strategy and its acknowledgement of long-standing requests from the industry the plan comes four years too late and does not address the real issues affecting our industry,” says Sandy La Marque, CEO of Kwanalu.
“Some important questions have been answered but the delay has already had a devastating economic impact,” says Angus Williamson, Kwanalu Vice-President.
Kwanalu is pleased to see the lifting of the Disease Management Area (DMA) as an action to be taken in KwaZulu-Natal which they see as a crucial win for producers and a reflection of sustained advocacy by Kwanalu and livestock leaders.
“After four years of constrained trade for farmers in the original DMA and a year for farmers in the expanded DMA, this is a lifeline for many farmers, though long overdue. It acknowledges key interventions which Kwanalu has been lobbying for including amongst other a broadened vaccination campaign, zoning, improved surveillance and diagnostics and the introduction of digital movement permits as set out in the Mass Vaccination Strategy,” said La Marque.
Kwanalu has however flagged serious concerns around vaccine availability, rollout logistics, communication and clarity on protocols. The Union has warned that unless these and other operational elements are addressed urgently and equitably, the strategy’s objectives will falter.
“These are things we’ve been asking for a long time. Lifting the DMA must come with a clear, imminent timeline. The vaccine has to get here and we’ve got to be able to vaccinate. We cannot afford to sit with an indefinite promise – decisive action must now follow,” said PJ Hassard, President of Kwanalu.
“One of our biggest concerns has been the dairies. These are high-producing, stressed animals that need to maintain performance. Dairy herds must be prioritised in the vaccine rollout, followed by commercial, communal farmers and feedlots,” says Hassard.
The Union calls for timeous communication and planning with organised agriculture as a key intervention for increased protocol compliance in curbing the spread of the disease.
“Farmers want to vaccinate and are in the dark. If we are informed on when all these things are going to happen and are provided with regular updates on how each intervention is moving forward, we can assist farmers and the ministry in achieving the strategy as set out. These updates should include answers on legislative amendments, when will the DMA be degazetted, when will vaccines  arrive, what the process to get in line for vaccination etcetera will be,” says Williamson.
Kwanalu also reiterated the heavy economic toll that the FMD outbreak has placed on the livestock sector in KZN which they believe continues to grow each day ‘meaningful action is delayed’.
“This has not just been a disease crisis; it has been a livelihood crisis. Our rural communities, commercial and emerging farmers have borne the brunt of this outbreak, with limited or no support,” says La Marque.
Kwanalu remains committed to working constructively with government, industry partners and all stakeholders to ensure the effective implementation of a strategy – and to hold all parties accountable to its delivery.
“Now is the time to align behind one plan. We’ve got to stand together and make things happen. There’s no room for fragmented efforts anymore,” says Hassard.
“Kwanalu affirms its continued support for all producers in KwaZulu-Natal and will maintain pressure to ensure this strategy translates into tangible outcomes – on farms, in markets, and across the value chain,” says La Marque.
One local farmer (who wishes to remain anonymous) claims the FMD outbreak has also fuelled a booming black market vaccine industry. The farmer claims that these vaccines are very expensive and its origins and effectiveness unknown however that many farmers have resorted to purchasing such vaccines to protect their animals.
A prayer circle will be taking place at the Kokstad Rugby Club (hosted by Paws of Hope) on Saturday, 24 January, between 2 and 3pm to pray for local farmers fighting the FMD outbreak. All welcome.