The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development confirmed on Thursday, 19 March 2026, that over 111,297 animals have been vaccinated against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) affecting animals in the province.
The vaccination campaign is taking place across all local municipalities, marking a decisive step in protecting the province’s livestock and agricultural economy.
The department has previously confirmed of 190 FMD cases across the province, affecting cattle, pigs, and goats. The majority of infections are in cattle (186 cases), while pigs account for 3 cases and goats for 1 case. District-level figures reveal 61 cases in Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, 56 in Bojanala, 37 in Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, and 36 in Ngaka Modiri Molema.
On Wednesday, 04 March 2026, MEC Sambatha Madoda officially launched mass vaccination drive, following the arrival of a significant consignment of vaccines.
During a media briefing, Madoda indicated that the province is ranked fourth in South Africa for the total number of confirmed outbreaks and has been allocated 100,000 doses of the FMD vaccine as part of the national mass vaccination campaign.
According to the departmental spokesperson, Emelda Setlhako, the arrival of vaccines from Turkey (Dolvet) has further accelerated the campaign, with another consignment expected soon to sustain the momentum.
“Farmers are urged to ensure their animals are tagged with permanent identification numbers to speed up vaccination and tracking.
“Farmers and stakeholders are encouraged to report any suspected cases immediately to their local veterinary offices for swift intervention. The Department reiterates its commitment to working closely with farmers to curb the spread of FMD and safeguard the livestock industry,” said Setlhako.
“We have intensified the campaign by putting every resource at our disposal. The fight against Foot and Mouth Disease is a fight for the heart of our province’s economy, and every vaccinated animal represents a victory for food security, rural livelihoods, and the dignity of our farmers.
To those villages and farmers we have not yet reached, know that we will be there soon. No community will be left behind. This campaign belongs to all of us, and together we will overcome it,” said Madoda.
