South Africa’s North West Province Achieves Milestone in FMD Vaccination Campaign Johannesburg, South Africa – The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in South Africa has reached a significant milestone in its fight against Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), with over one million cattle vaccinated as of July 19, 2026. This achievement represents a crucial step in the province’s efforts to contain the outbreak and safeguard its livestock industry.
The mass vaccination campaign, which commenced in early March 2026, aimed to achieve 80% coverage of the provincial herd to develop herd immunity.
This goal has been reached, with 1,032,615 cattle vaccinated, placing North West among the leading provinces implementing the national FMD vaccination programme.
The figure represents approximately 74% of the province’s estimated cattle population. Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen emphasized the importance of the campaign, stating that it is part of a broader national push to strengthen biosecurity and protect livelihoods.
Officials commented on the matter.
Foot — and-Mouth Disease is a highly contagious viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs. It can lead to significant economic losses in livestock industries and has been a persistent threat to South Africa’s agriculture sector.
The World Bank’s involvement in supporting urban service delivery in South Africa may indirectly relate to the country’s broader efforts in agricultural development and biosecurity.
The World Bank’s website provides data on South Africa’s economy and population, which can be relevant in understanding the context of the vaccination campaign.
The success of the vaccination campaign in North West is a critical development, as it demonstrates the effectiveness of mass vaccination efforts in combating FMD.
It also serves as a model for other provinces facing similar challenges.
As the campaign progresses, the focus will shift to maintaining the herd immunity achieved thus far. This will involve ongoing surveillance, monitoring, and vaccination to ensure that the disease does not resurface and cause further economic and social damage.
The vaccination campaign in North West is a significant achievement for the province and the country as a whole. It highlights the importance of proactive measures in preventing the spread of infectious diseases and underscores the role of government and international organizations in supporting agricultural development and biosecurity. Looking ahead, the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will continue to work towards ensuring the health and well-being of the province’s livestock population.
This will involve collaboration with other stakeholders, including farmers, veterinarians, and international partners, to develop and implement effective strategies for disease prevention and control.
The success of the FMD vaccination campaign in North West serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing agricultural development and biosecurity in the country’s overall development agenda. It also underscores the potential for collaboration between government, private sector, and international organizations in addressing complex challenges in the agricultural sector.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: Google News v2
