South Africa is deploying a massive vaccination strategy to counter the foot-and-mouth disease epidemic that has paralyzed its agricultural sector since the end of 2025. The stakes are high: to protect the national supply and reopen export markets that have been closed for too long.

A health toll that is already heavy

The disease has hit South African livestock farming hard, particularly in the province of KwaZulu-Natal , the epicenter of the crisis.

1. 297,000 animals affected in KwaZulu-Natal.
2. 120,000 animals slaughtered as a sanitary measure.
3. Sectors at risk: Beef and dairy products.

Priority given to community farms

On the ground, authorities are targeting strategic areas such as Magagula Heights, near Johannesburg. Vuyiswa Ramokgopa , head of Agriculture and Rural Development, emphasizes the importance of vaccinating small-scale livestock farmers:

"These community farms are essential to stopping the spread of the virus in the province. Today alone, 120 cattle were vaccinated in this priority area."

Logistics under pressure

Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has received one million doses from Turkey. However, a question remains: this stockpile seems quite small compared to the country's 12 million head of livestock.

The government's objectives by December:

1. Vaccinate 80% of the national livestock.
2. Reduce infection hotspots by 70% .
3. To obtain "foot-and-mouth disease free" status in order to revive red meat exports, which have been blocked for decades.

A major economic impact

Concern is growing among professionals in the sector. Since key partners like China and Zambia suspended their imports, losses amount to millions of dollars, threatening thousands of jobs in the agricultural sector.