In a major effort to combat the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in the North West, on Wednesday, 04 March 2026, Agriculture and Rural Development MEC Sambatha Madoda has 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.
As of 04 March 2026, the province has reported 158 confirmed cases, which is counted as 155 in cattle, 2 in pigs, and 1 in a goat. With Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality leading in confirmed cases in the province, Ventersdorp and Potchefstroom are the most affected areas.
The briefing follows the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa declaring the FMD outbreak a National Disaster in February 2026 to unlock emergency resources.
Madoda pleaded with the media to assist the department in reporting and broadcasting vital information about their interventions and response clearly and accurately with our farmers, stakeholders, and communities.
“Currently, the district leading in confirmed Foot and Mouth Disease cases in the North
West Province is Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality, with Ventersdorp and
Potchefstroom being the most affected areas.”
“This district is followed by Bojanala Platinum District Municipality, where Rustenburg, Madibeng, and Kgetleng River have emerged as significant hotspots. The third most affected district is Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, while Ngaka Modiri Molema District has recorded fewer cases compared to the others. This clearly shows that Dr Kenneth Kaunda and Bojanala are the epicentres of the outbreak, requiring the most urgent attention and concentrated vaccination efforts.
“To mitigate and control the spread of this disease, the North West Province has received 100,000 doses of Biogenesis Bago FMD Virus Vaccines. These vaccines will be administered in areas with active cases. Another consignment is expected before the end of the month, which will be rolled out on a risk-based principle,” said Madoda.
While indicating that the department has been conducting information days on FMD to empower farming communities with knowledge and practical guidance, Madoda assured farmers that vaccine will be distributed fairly and equally.
The vaccination drive is expected to target farms and villages within a 5 km radius of infected animals, concentrating on those with negative animals at risk.
According to the department this approach aligns with the national goal of vaccinating 90% of the cattle population.
“As more doses arrive, we will expand coverage to ensure that no sector is left behind. Villages are a critical focus area because communal farming practices, often without biosecurity measures such as fencing, make them a key link in the spread of FMD.
“Animals from these villages frequently enter auctions and are later moved to backgrounding farms and feedlots. By vaccinating here, we aim to establish herd immunity and cut off this vital link in the epidemiology of the disease.”
Meanwhile, agriculture minister John Steenhuisen confirmed the government will cover the full cost of vaccinating the national herd against disease.
“The vaccines are being procured and paid for by the state and administered free of charge to farmers. No farmer is paying for these vaccines, and government is certainly not selling them,” Steenhuisen said.
