South Africa has announced the launch of its first locally produced foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine in more than 20 years, as authorities move to contain the country’s worst outbreak of the highly contagious livestock disease in many years.
The agriculture ministry said the new vaccine will boost domestic production capacity and reduce reliance on imports at a time when infections have spread across several provinces, threatening cattle herds, meat supplies and agricultural exports.
Foot-and-mouth disease is a viral illness that mainly affects cattle, sheep and pigs, causing fever and painful blisters in the mouth and on the feet. While it does not pose a significant risk to humans, outbreaks can severely disrupt livestock production and trade due to strict movement controls and export bans.
The current outbreak has led to restrictions on the movement of animals in affected regions, with farmers reporting significant losses. Authorities have warned that continued spread could have serious economic consequences for the country’s beef and dairy sectors, which are key contributors to agricultural employment and exports.
The locally developed vaccine was produced through South Africa’s state-backed veterinary vaccine manufacturer, as part of a broader strategy to rebuild domestic capacity that has declined over the past two decades. Officials said local production would allow for faster response times during outbreaks and more consistent supply of doses for preventive vaccination programmes.
Agriculture officials added that vaccination would be rolled out alongside heightened surveillance, biosecurity measures and movement controls to curb the spread of the disease. The government has also urged farmers to comply strictly with regulations and report suspected cases promptly.
South Africa has experienced recurring challenges with foot-and-mouth disease in recent years, with previous outbreaks triggering temporary export bans from key trading partners. Authorities hope that restoring local vaccine production will strengthen the country’s ability to manage future outbreaks and protect its livestock industry.
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