Picture: The North West MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Madoda Sambatha during FMD vaccination
By REGINALD KANYANE
1 September 2026 -The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) has recorded no new cases of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in the province over the past week, marking a significant development in the province’s ongoing efforts to contain and curb the spread of the disease. This is the first week since December 2025, that the province has recorded no new FMD cases, signalling a positive shift in the province’s fight against the disease and providing encouragement that the intensified vaccination and disease-control interventions are beginning to yield results.
The North West MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Madoda Sambatha said his department has been implementing a mass provincial FMD vaccination programme across all four districts and 18 local municipalities, as part of the broader national intervention to contain the disease and protect the provincial livestock sector. Sambatha said to date, the province has received 1,570,100 doses of FMD vaccines, with 1,413,859 animals vaccinated across the province.
“We welcome the latest development. The fact that we have gone a full week without recording a new case of Foot-and-Mouth Disease is encouraging and demonstrates the progress we are making through our collective efforts.
“However, we must remain vigilant. We urge all farmers and livestock owners to continue practising strict biosecurity measures on their farms and to report any suspected cases immediately to veterinary authorities,” he said.
Sambatha further emphasised that vaccination remains an important component of the province’s response, but must be complemented by responsible livestock management and adherence to disease-control measures. He added the department anticipates commencing booster vaccinations in September 2026, in areas where animals have already received their initial vaccinations.
“This will take place alongside continued efforts to identify and vaccinate animals in areas that have not yet been reached by the vaccination programme.
“The department will continue working closely with farmers, organised agriculture, municipalities, traditional leaders and other stakeholders to strengthen disease surveillance, vaccination coverage and compliance with disease-control measures,” said Sambatha.
The Guardian 