150,000 Vaccines Arrive in Eastern Cape to Combat Foot and Mouth Disease

Eastern Cape, 5 March 2026 – The Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture has received 150,000 doses of the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine, which are now being distributed across the province to protect livestock and safeguard agricultural jobs.

MEC for Agriculture, Nonceba Kontsiwe, said the rollout prioritises high-risk areas and dairy farms, ensuring that regions critical to food security are first protected.

“As promised, we are starting with high-risk priority areas and dairy farms to protect food security,” MEC Kontsiwe said. “These measures will assist in curbing the spread of the disease, protecting livestock, and safeguarding jobs in the sector.”

FMD poses a serious threat to both commercial and communal farming, with outbreaks capable of devastating herds and affecting livelihoods. Farmers in communal areas have urged authorities to ensure that vaccine distribution is even and reaches regions where farming is practised collectively.

The Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture has reassured farmers that the vaccination campaign will continue in phases, covering all vulnerable areas. Officials say early vaccination is key to preventing further spread and mitigating economic losses in the province’s agricultural sector.

With the timely arrival of 150,000 doses, MEC Kontsiwe and her department hope to strengthen the province’s livestock protection measures, ensuring both rural and commercial farmers can continue their work safely.