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High-priority FMD vaccination well underway, pre-emptive vaccination to follow.
A nationwide, high-priority foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccination rollout is being implemented using a uniform strategy across all provinces. Dipepeneneng Serage, deputy director-general for agricultural production, biosecurity, and natural resource management at the National Department of Agriculture (NDA), says that once high-priority vaccinations are completed, it will be essential to expand coverage to more animals. The target is to vaccinate 80% of the nation’s livestock by December this year.
He explains that with the arrival of vaccines such as the first batch of one million high-potency vaccine doses from Biogénesis Bagó in Argentina on 21 February, distribution is set in motion quickly. After receiving the vaccines at Onderstepoort Biological Products, provincial veterinary services collect them, a process that usually takes up to two days.
High-priority vaccination
Serage explains that each provincial department of agriculture has a full veterinary services unit. Some provinces have chief directors while others have directors as their heads. He notes that provincial teams have been collecting their allocated Biogénesis Bagó doses since Sunday, which will be administered within their respective regions. Provincial veterinary services are responsible for identifying areas most in need, as they have local knowledge and are best positioned to assess the situation. The NDA predetermines the number of vaccine doses allocated to each province to ensure they are directed to regions with the greatest need.
He says dairy farms, livestock farms, and premises or locations with active FMD outbreaks are currently the highest priority. Available vaccines are directed to these areas first. “When responding to an outbreak, it doesn’t matter whether it’s a commercial or communal farm – if there’s an outbreak, we act.”
Farmers are strongly advised not to move animals if infection is suspected. They must immediately contact their provincial veterinary services. State veterinarians or animal health technicians will visit the farm to assess the situation and collect samples. Farmers should take no independent action. Once FMD is confirmed, the farm is registered as FMD-positive, placed under quarantine and added to the priority vaccination list. Serage explains that confirmed FMD-positive animals are vaccinated first, followed by FMD-negative animals. Infected or suspected animals must not be moved from the farm to a central point for vaccination.
He also points out that vaccine or vaccination services are free. “No one is allowed to charge producers – whether commercial or communal – for vaccination.” Any attempt to charge a producer must be reported to the NDA, as it is considered fraud.
Protective gear
Serage explains that when veterinarians visit farms where FMD is suspected, they are required to wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). If they wear PPE while vaccinating or assessing animals, and properly dispose of it afterward, they may proceed to another farm. In addition, their vehicles must be thoroughly disinfected before leaving and upon entering any farm. However, veterinarians or officials who encounter animals on an FMD-positive farm without wearing PPE are subject to a seven-day waiting period before they may access another farm. This measure is in place to prevent the potential spread of the disease.
Role of private veterinarians
Serage explains that private veterinarians who wish to participate in the FMD vaccination rollout must first contact their provincial state veterinary services. Once approved, private veterinarians may work alongside state veterinarians to administer vaccines. Veterinarians from large farming operations may also apply to join the rollout team.
Veterinarians at large commercial farms must co-ordinate with provincial veterinary services to schedule visits by the state veterinary team. Under provincial supervision, they may also be authorised to vaccinate animals independently, but only once they have been formally registered and have notified the provincial veterinary services.
F-branding and traceability system
Serage confirms that F-branding will no longer be used after vaccination. Instead, ear tags will be issued as part of the identification and traceability system. “We are in the process of procuring ear tags and are looking at distributing them province by province.”
Producers may also use a traceability system. Farms vaccinated by state veterinarians can opt for the livestock identification and traceability system (LITS). Using another system, like the Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS) system is also allowed, but producers must first confirm with provincial veterinary services.
He encourages commercial farmers to use RMIS, which offers easy access to a central database and aligns with ministerial initiatives. Even communal farmers are welcome to use RMIS. Large operations with their own veterinarians and traceability systems must consult the NDA. They may use their own system, but the department will also apply official tracking tags. Two systems can operate simultaneously. What matters is that we can access the data later to monitor progress and compile reports.
Pre-emptive vaccination
According to Serage, the minister of agriculture, John Steenhuisen, is expected to gazette a new scheme this week, or by Monday at the latest, under section ten of the Animal Diseases Act (Act No. 35 of 1984). This scheme will enable pre-emptive vaccination.
The gazette will state that farms wishing to vaccinate FMD-negative animals may do so on a preventive or pre-emptive basis. “Once approved, state veterinary services will vaccinate the animals and record them in the official register. We have restructured this as a section ten scheme. Section ten of the Animal Diseases Act explains the legal framework under which we are operating,” Serage says.
He notes that pre-emptive vaccination previously lacked legal provision, making implementation difficult. Under section ten, however, the minister can establish a scheme for farmers who wish to vaccinate their animals preventively.
Permission for private veterinarians
Any South African Veterinary Council (SAVC)-registered private veterinarian may administer FMD vaccines if they receive written approval from the provincial head of Veterinary Services.
Private veterinarians must co-ordinate with both the farmer and the local state veterinarian in their area. They will work under the state veterinarian’s supervision, who will assess resources and biosecurity. Approval from all relevant state veterinarians is required if working across multiple areas.
Private veterinarians in the FMD rollout
Private veterinarians wishing to assist with FMD vaccination must contact the local state veterinarian in their area. The local state veterinarian will supervise the private veterinarian to ensure that resources and biosecurity are maintained. If the veterinarian intends to work across multiple areas, approval from all relevant state veterinarians is required. – Christal-Lize Muller and Izak Hofmeyr, Plaas Media.
For more information, email Dipepeneneng Serage at seraged@nda.gov.za
