South Africa’s Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreaks Surpass 1,200 as Department of Agriculture Faces Critical Vaccine Shortage

South Africa reports 1,223 FMD outbreaks. The Department of Agriculture warns of low vaccine stocks as it awaits 3.5 million doses from Turkey and Argentina.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 31, 2026, 9:46 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Eyewitness News

Surveillance Uncovers Scale of FMD Crisis

The Department of Agriculture’s weekly update to Parliament’s portfolio committee on Tuesday revealed a sobering reality: foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is continuing to spread across South Africa. Although a massive vaccination campaign has been underway, the number of recorded outbreaks has hit 1,223. Department officials, including Minister John Steenhuisen, noted that the rise in numbers is largely due to "improved surveillance" and the discovery of previously unreported cases, rather than a failure of the vaccine itself. However, the geographic spread remains a major concern, with new cases confirmed in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, and the North West.

A Looming Vaccine Supply Gap

The most pressing issue facing the agricultural sector is a potential "vaccine cliff." Deputy Director General Bothle Modisane informed the committee that current stocks have dipped to approximately 763,000 doses. With the vaccination drive ramping up and private veterinarians yet to fully report their usage, officials fear the actual remaining stock may be even lower. Parliamentarians voiced sharp concerns over the slow pace of vaccine procurement, fearing that the vaccination momentum will stall if new shipments do not arrive before local supplies are exhausted.

The Geographic Heart of the Outbreak

While new provinces are being hit, the Free State and Gauteng remain the most severely affected regions. The Department has been forced to pivot its strategy, dispatching additional doses to newly identified hotspots in the North West and Limpopo to create buffer zones. The logistical challenge is compounded by the fact that South Africa has not produced its own FMD vaccines for several years, leaving the nation's livestock industry entirely dependent on international supply chains and local research breakthroughs.