Nearly 1,000 Cattle Vaccinated in Walter Sisulu FMD Prevention Drive

Agricultural authorities in the Walter Sisulu District vaccinated nearly 1,000 cattle on three farms on Monday as part of ongoing efforts to contain and prevent the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in the region.

The vaccination programme took place on 9 March 2026 and formed part of wider disease-control measures aimed at protecting livestock, supporting farmers and safeguarding the local agricultural economy.

Vaccinations conducted in Maletswai farms

The first farm visited by veterinary teams was Draaihoek (Oosthuizen Farm) in the Maletswai area, where 208 cattle were vaccinated.

Officials then proceeded to Strydfontein Farm, also located in Maletswai, where 219 cattle received FMD vaccinations.

Both farms fall within a 10-kilometre radius of the Joe Gqabi Kraal, a location that previously tested positive for Foot and Mouth Disease. The vaccinations were therefore carried out as a preventative measure, designed to strengthen biosecurity and reduce the risk of the virus spreading to surrounding livestock farms.

Foot and Mouth Disease is a highly contagious viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, sheep and goats. Outbreaks can cause significant economic losses for farmers and disrupt livestock trade, making rapid vaccination and monitoring essential.

Suspicious case investigated at Vaalbank Farm

The third stop during Monday’s vaccination campaign was Vaalbank Farm in the James Calata area, where veterinary teams vaccinated 546 cattle.

This farm had previously raised concern after animals showed suspicious signs associated with FMD. On 25 February 2026, veterinary officials collected five serum blood samples and two swab samples from cattle on the farm for laboratory testing as part of the investigation process.

Vaccinating the herd was considered an important step in reducing the viral load within the cattle population, helping to limit the possibility of the disease spreading to neighbouring farms and communities.

Protecting livestock and the rural economy

The vaccination drive forms part of broader disease-control strategies being implemented across affected and surrounding districts in the Eastern Cape.

Authorities say these measures are crucial not only for protecting animal health but also for supporting farmers and maintaining the stability of the agricultural economy, which plays a key role in rural livelihoods.

By targeting farms within high-risk zones and areas where symptoms have been detected, veterinary teams aim to quickly contain any potential outbreak and prevent wider transmission.

Nearly 1,000 cattle protected

Across the three farms visited on Monday, a total of 973 cattle were vaccinated as part of the FMD prevention programme.

Officials say vaccination efforts and monitoring will continue in the district as part of ongoing measures to manage the disease and protect livestock across the region.