When Will We Get “Ahead” Of FMD, John?
- 8 hours ago
- 4 min read
By: Ashleigh Mackintosh
On July 10th, 2025, the first case of the spreading Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) was recorded in the Free State. Since then, it has successfully reached all nine provinces in South Africa, with widespread concern. It has left farmers at war as they are not only fighting against the disease but also calling for accountability from the Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen. He states we are “chasing” instead of getting “ahead” of the disease spreading in our country. Under these circumstances, vaccination programs have been initiated, but require further action to be taken.
Foot and mouth disease, commonly known as FMD is a disease that primarily affects cloven-hoofed animals. Being a non-enveloped virus, it is extremely resistant and looks like a small soccer ball up close. Although it does not affect people, it spreads rapidly through transportation methods such as walking or vehicles. FMD has seven serotypes: O, A, C, Asia-1, SAT 1,2 and 3. However, the primary ones affecting South Africa currently are SAT 1, 2, and 3. Animals affected usually show symptoms of sudden, severe blisters around the mouth, hooves, and teats; they also constantly drool due to over-salivation. This demonstrates the pain the animals are in, seeing how some limp to their daily dairy milking routine.
As stated by the government, vaccines will first be sent to higher-risk areas. However, one vaccine does not mean protection against the other variations. Apart from vaccines, buffer zones have been implemented, and animals also undergo transport restrictions to reduce the spread. Although Steenhuisen has passively steered away from accountability, he has, however, displayed a hopeful embark on this subject. Since 2005, South Africa has lost its ability to produce vaccines due to a lack of governmental funds. Now, for the first time in 20 years, the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) has developed its own vaccines, producing 20,000 vaccines per week, with plans to grow into 200,000. These cover SAT 1,2 and 3.
On February 12th, the severity of the suffrage with FMD has caused President Cyril Ramaphosa to declare South Africa a state of natural disaster. Regardless of our progress with the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), South Africa is still relying on foreign imports. As of the 20th of February, one million Biogenesis Bago (Biogenesis) vaccines have been imported into the country, originating from Argentina. This will be considered the largest import of vaccines in South African history, meaning the government will rely on private veterinary constituencies and community support to provide the worst-affected areas first. Other vaccines have so far been imported from various other countries, including Turkey, which supplies Dollvet and the Botswana Vaccine Institute. Steenhuisen states that by the end of March 2026, up to 5 million vaccines from these three different suppliers will be available per month.
Despite all that was said, on the 23rd of March, Steenhuisen made way for the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) to import 6 million Dollvet Foot and Mouth Disease vaccines. More Dollvet vaccines are still expected to come, leaving farmers in a desperate state. With vaccines only being directed to high-demand areas, farmers seek a more urgent resource to vaccinate their livestock as quickly as possible. Farmers seek more than vaccine imports and working together, as Steenhuisen’s plan has been put into action. Hence, the farmers of South Africa wish to impose a threatening court case against the Department of Agriculture for keeping FMD a state-controlled disease, although, under the Animal Diseases Act of 1984, it has to remain that way. Steenhuisen states that the private sector was included in his plan, involving the ministerial task team and the implementation and monitoring committee when deciding on this matter.
He responded to this, disapproving of the court case. “If farmers sue, they are going to delay them for another month.” With farmers losing herds, wildlife enclosures too losing animals, export limitations, and food security all taking place, it is understandable why the circumstances are causing desperate measures to take action. Under this haphazard legal stress, the government stated that farmers can allow the vaccination of their herds, provided that they are supervised by a qualified veterinarian. Animals receiving this must also be clearly branded for identification purposes.
With regards to the future of FMD in South Africa, Steenhuisen has planned a ten-year prosecution, following four particular phases. The current phase we are in is to stabilise the disease and monitor where hotspots sprout. This will be carried out by using a scientific heat-mapping strategy. The second stage is creating buffer zones. This involves trading and transport compartmentalisation and applies to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), uncovering some zones in SA that are FMD-free. Phase three takes place in the next four to seven years, as constant vaccinations will form FMD-free areas. The final phase, from the seventh to the tenth year, displays SA as an FMD-free country recognised by WOAH. This sounds hopeful until the desperation of the current situation kicks in.
The legality behind receiving vaccines as urgently as possible to prevent further risk on neighbouring farms is complex. Farmers have taken on alternative methods of fighting back against the disease and Steenhuisen's rule. In hushed tones of farming communities, farmers are taking matters into their own hands by vaccinating their herds illegally. Fotivax, another vaccination brand from Kenya, is being smuggled across borders and has undergone private administration. Once received, it is then provided to farmers in dire need.
Usually, before vaccinations are released to a farmer's herd, blood samples have to be taken by vets to ensure illegal imports have not been infiltrated. However, illegal vaccine users take blood samples from other farmers’ herds that test negative for the disease and submit them to the vets. In this way, the vets are under false pretence of the rightful owners of the blood samples, hence giving the illegally vaccinated herd legal vaccines and passing them through the system. As FMD continues to spread in South Africa, we are left concerned for our nation’s agricultural well-being, including the stress on farmers, the health of animals, and how Steenhuisen will continue to handle this situation.
Article edited by: Munei Zoe Mbedzi
Never been more prouder of you bestiana, my concentration span went up by 50% because of how interesting and knowledgeable this was 🫶
Proudest bestie moment 🫶your first article and it was genuinely so interesting to read. You have such a natural talent for this!!