The Western Cape has vaccinated 82% of its livestock herd against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), as authorities continue efforts to contain the outbreak and protect the province’s agricultural sector.
Since the province’s first FMD outbreak was confirmed in November 2025, the Western Cape government has implemented a comprehensive 21-point containment and response plan. More than 597,000 doses of FMD vaccine have been received from the Department of Agriculture, with approximately 480,000 doses already administered across the province.
Following a recent meeting of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture’s FMD War Room, Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Dr Ivan Meyer, provided an update on the province’s response to the outbreak.
Vaccination efforts have now reached all districts. More than 382,209 primary vaccinations have been completed, representing 82% of the provincial herd. A further 97,560 booster vaccinations have been administered, bringing the total number of vaccinated animals to 479,769. The vaccinations include both commercial and subsistence livestock.
Coordinated vaccination response
Meyer said the province’s response demonstrates the importance of collaboration between government, farmers, private veterinarians, industry stakeholders and communities.
“While challenges remain, we have made substantial progress in containing the disease and protecting one of the province’s most important agricultural sectors,” Meyer said.
The Western Cape’s first FMD outbreak was confirmed on 3 November 2025 on a farm near Gouda in the Cape Winelands District. At the time, the affected farm had 679 cattle and 1,597 sheep.
Since then, the Western Cape Department of Agriculture has implemented an aggressive containment and response strategy based on a comprehensive 21-point plan.
“Every suspected case is treated with urgency. Our veterinary teams continue to investigate, monitor and trace potential infections to prevent further spread and to safeguard our farmers and the broader agricultural economy,” Meyer said.
Western Cape strengthens surveillance and containment
The province has also strengthened its disease-response capacity through the establishment of an FMD War Room, enhanced surveillance, movement controls, quarantine measures, traceability programmes and public awareness campaigns.
These interventions are supported by a veterinary services workforce of 103 professionals and officials, backed by a budget of R152 million.
Meyer said the response has been underpinned by transparency, cooperation and evidence-based decision-making.
“The Western Cape’s 21-point plan, combined with the work of the FMD War Room, has enabled early coordination, rapid response and targeted vaccination,” he said.
He added that cooperation between government and stakeholders had strengthened the province’s ability to manage the outbreak effectively.
Meyer thanked farmers, veterinary professionals, organised agriculture, industry partners, municipalities and officials for their continued cooperation.
“Protecting animal health is critical to protecting jobs, food security and economic growth in the Western Cape,” he said. “We remain committed to working with all stakeholders to contain foot-and-mouth disease and ensure the long-term resilience of our agricultural sector.”
