Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen has announced the launch of a locally produced vaccine against foot and mouth disease, developed by the Agricultural Research Council. This vaccine targets the SAT 1, SAT 2 and SAT 3 strains and will complement imports from other countries as part of a national strategy.
South Africa's Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, highlighted a significant advancement in the country's battle against foot and mouth disease (FMD) with the introduction of a domestically developed vaccine. Created by the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), this vaccine addresses the SAT 1, SAT 2, and SAT 3 strains prevalent in the region. It integrates into a comprehensive disease control approach that includes vaccines imported from Turkey, Argentina, and Botswana.
The national vaccination plan seeks to immunize 80% of targeted livestock herds within the next 12 months, aiming to curb the disease's spread in affected zones. This effort is projected to bolster livestock safeguards, enhance biosecurity measures nationwide, and lessen reliance on foreign supplies over time.
Steenhuisen emphasized the importance of this development during the announcement. "For the first time in 20 years, South Africa has produced its own foot and mouth disease vaccine. It will cover the SAT 1, 2 and 3 strains here. This is a huge milestone in our fight against foot and mouth disease in South Africa and I’m very proud of the work done by the ARC and others in developing this vaccine," he stated. He added that it would support the recently unveiled strategy for vaccinating the national herd.
Alongside the vaccine launch, Steenhuisen revealed a 10-year plan to tackle FMD outbreaks more effectively. This initiative underscores local innovation's role in safeguarding the agricultural sector and the broader economy from potential disruptions caused by the disease.
