By Sonica Naudé-Steyn

KwaZulu-Natal is currently the epicentre of FMD with a population of approximately 2.5 million cattle, the province has recorded 207 cases of the disease, with 187 cases unresolved.
This according to KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsamqa Ntuli who held a media briefing on Friday highlighting the measures taken by the provincial government of unity to curb the spread of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in the province. Mrs Thembeni KaMadlopha, MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, joined Premier Ntuli during the media briefing.
“During the briefing, Premier Ntuli remarked that the outbreak is affecting the province socially and financially as food security is under the strain. Furthermore, the FMD outbreak is also negatively affecting commercial, communal and dairy farmers, as well as feedlots. It is affecting communities who use animals to perform traditional or religious ceremonies.
Apart from food security which is at risk, livelihoods are also affected as the multi-billion rand farming industry employs hundreds of thousands of workers who have more than 639 000 mouths to feed. In closing, Premier Ntuli reiterated that the provincial government is fully committed to curb the spread of FMD to safeguard employment, economy and food security,” said the Premier’s office in a statement.
On the same day, Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen visited the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) Onderstepoort Veterinary Research (OVR), where the President and CEO of the ARC, Dr Magingxa, handed over the first batch of locally produced Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccines in over 20 years. 
“This milestone signals a shift from reactionary disease chasing to a proactive, science led War on FMD. The goal is to reclaim South Africa’s FMD free status from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), using locally produced vaccines through collaboration between government, the ARC, and OBP,” said Steenhuisen. 
During his visit, Steenhuisen acknowledged the severe emotional and financial toll the current outbreaks have taken on the agricultural community.
“To our farmers who have watched their livelihoods disappear before their eyes, I hear you, and I feel the weight of this hardship with you. This has been a long, exhausting road, but I want you to know that help is not just coming, it is here. My Department and I will stop at nothing to ensure this disease is completely eradicated from our farms and communities. While the path to full recovery will take time, specifically through our focused ten year strategy, we are finally moving from defence to offence. Please do not lose faith; we are building a system that will protect your herds for generations to come.”
It was also revealed that South Africa ceased local vaccine production in 2005 due to ageing technology and infrastructure which were non-compliant with international Good Manufacturing Practice standards. However, the ARC has successfully produced its first 12 900 doses using modern bioreactor technology. 
The 12 900 vaccine doses were allegedly produced at a ‘pilot scale’ as proof of production concept for the new virus strains and production technology developed. The initial distribution of this batch is set to be divided as follows: Free State (2 300 doses), Eastern Cape (2 600 doses), North West (2 000 doses), Gauteng (2 000 doses), Limpopo (2 000 doses), and Mpumalanga (2 000 doses). 
No distribution to KZN is planned for the initial vaccines however the Ministry of Agriculture has made assurances that from March 2026, the ARC will be able to supply 20 000 doses per week.
Minister Steenhuisen and the Department confirm they have no objection to the use of designated agents and said the priority is the consistent arrival of vaccines, not the specific procurement channel.
“The Department maintains that claims proposing a vaccine free for all are short sighted and reckless and fly in the face of established international and local precedent for disease control. The Department has already seen the serious risks posed by illegally imported vaccines in KwaZulu Natal. It should again be stressed that the Department welcomes assistance from the private sector in eradicating this disease,” said the ministry in a statement. 
Steenhuisen said the ministry would be working closely with the private sector, industry bodies, private veterinarians and animal health technicians as the vaccine rollout proceeds. “The scientific path to FMD free status is clear. In order to regain FMD free status with vaccination from the World Organisation for Animal Health, South Africa must prove there has been no virus transmission for at least twelve months. This requires a strictly controlled vaccination rollout, official surveillance, strict movement controls, and systematic vaccination coverage that can be documented and verified,” said Steenhuisen. 
According to the ministry, through the Botswana Vaccine Institute, the State has already acquired, monitored, and administered two million vaccines to date and that the BVI has confirmed the supply of 700 000 doses of FMD vaccine by the end of February 2026. This will allegedly be followed by monthly supplies of 700 000 doses in April, May, and June. He further stated that Biogénesis Bagó of Argentina will soon supply one million doses, with a further five million doses expected in March 2026 and that a 1.5 million dose Dollvet vaccine from Turkey is expected to arrive in the country in the third week of February 2026, followed by a second supply of five million doses in March.
Steenhuisen has further finalised a memorandum to declare a National State of Disaster, which will be tabled soon in Cabinet and will unlock emergency funding for mass vaccination across affected provinces.  
Meanwhile, KZN government also announced on Friday that tests are being conducted to see if a new strain of the disease has developed in province with renewed call for classify FMD as a provincial disaster.

1. KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsamqa Ntuli held a media briefing on Friday on the measures taken by the provincial government of unity to curb the spread of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in the province.
2. Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen visited the Agricultural Research Council Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, where the first batch of locally produced Foot and Mouth Disease vaccines were produced in over 20 years.