DStv Channel 403 Monday, 09 February 2026

WC government to spend R100m on FMD vaccines

CAPE TOWN - The Western Cape is going into emergency mode as it tries to stop the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in the province.

This includes police checkpoints being set up to monitor the movement of livestock in the province.

Nationally, 320 separate outbreaks of FMD have been recorded since last year.

READ: Hope for farmers as SA produces locally made foot-and-mouth disease vaccine

The Western Cape is not yet a hot spot.

And to keep it that way, R100-million will be made available to vaccinate animals.

Western Cape health experts say the first case of FMD reported in the province was linked to a strain in Gauteng.

It was on a farm in Gouda where 650 cattle and over 1900 sheep tested positive for the disease.

READ: Gauteng intensifies FMD vaccination drive

It is believed the farmer brought in the animals from outside the province.

The origin of a second outbreak in Mbekweni is unknown.

The 150 cattle there have since been vaccinated.

So too have 250 cattle that tested positive in Khayelitsha, Mfuleni, and Kaalksteenfontein. 

READ: KZN farmers bear the brunt of livestock disease

The provincial government says it will not take chances and risk the R13.5-billion livestock sector. 

The agriculture sector has welcomed the plan.

The next vaccination hotspot this week will be Mossel Bay, where another suspected case has been reported

  • eNCA's Nobesuthu Hejana reports.

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