Western Cape Government allocates R100 million to combat foot-and-mouth disease outbreak

Western Cape sets aside R100m to boost efforts to contain foot-and-mouth disease, with authorities intensifying vaccination, border controls and surveillance across the province. The Western Cape Government has set aside R100 million to strengthen its response to the national foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak, as authorities intensify vaccination, movement controls and surveillance across the province. Premier Alan Winde and provincial Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism Dr Ivan Meyer provided an update yesterday, outlining urgent steps being taken to contain the highly contagious animal disease and protect the province’s livestock sector.

“We are acting swiftly with all stakeholders to get ahead of this outbreak. The Western Cape Government will set aside R100 million to procure enough vaccine doses to protect livestock,” Winde said. The province has already implemented 24/7 border controls, with consideration being given to full border closures and a permit system for cross-border livestock trade, subject to confirmation from national Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen.

In outbreak areas, the movement of animals has been prohibited. A 21-point response plan is being rolled out, focusing on strict movement control, on-the-ground monitoring and surveillance by veterinary services, enforcement of by-laws, coordinated communication, and recovery measures such as cleaning and monitoring of quarantine zones. Authorities confirmed that several confirmed and suspected outbreaks are currently at different stages of management and control.

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The first confirmed case in the province, reported in Gouda in November last year, has been resolved after all animals on the infected farm were slaughtered at an approved abattoir. The property is now undergoing cleaning and disinfection. More recently, a suspected case was reported in the Mbekweni area on Wednesday, February 4, by a private veterinarian from Wellington.

Samples were immediately collected and flown to Pretoria for testing, and provisional quarantine measures were put in place for the affected farm and surrounding cattle owners. Foot-and-mouth disease was confirmed on Friday, prompting immediate vaccination of affected cattle and neighbouring herds. Investigations are continuing to determine the full extent of the outbreak and what additional control measures may be required.

Suspected cases have also been reported in George, Mossel Bay, Mfuleni, Makhaza and Kalkfontein, where blood samples have been collected and vaccination is set to begin with immediate effect. “The Western Cape Government is taking the necessary action to slow the spread of FMD and vaccinate herds. Our focus is on protecting a critical multi-billion rand industry which employs 50,000 residents,” Winde said.

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