FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE VACCINATION CAMPAIGN RESUMES IN ILEMBE AND KING CETSHWAYO DISTRICTS
NWN Media | Digital Voice of KZN
By NWN Editor · 2026/07/22 · 2 min read
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has resumed its vaccination campaign against the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak in the iLembe and King Cetshwayo Districts. This follows the successful completion of vaccination programmes in seven districts across the province, where approximately 1.5 million cattle were inoculated with life-saving vaccines.
Speaking during Cabinet Day’s Operation Sukuma Sakhe programme in KwaDukuza on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast, the MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa, announced that the vaccination campaign in both districts will run from 22 July 2026 to 05 August 2026.
> “We are pleased with the progress of the programme. We remain on track to complete vaccinations within the six-month timeframe we set when we commenced in late February. Vaccinations are currently being conducted simultaneously in iLembe and King Cetshwayo, which have a combined estimated cattle population of nearly 200,000. Upon completion, the programme will move to Amajuba and uMzinyathi districts,” said MEC kaMadlopha-Mthethwa.
The seven districts where vaccination campaigns have already been completed are uGu, Harry Gwala, uMkhanyakude, Zululand, uMgungundlovu, eThekwini, and uThukela.
In addition, the Department has successfully completed booster vaccinations for dairy cattle. In partnership with the commercial farming sector, the Department concluded the first phase of dairy cattle vaccinations in May 2026 and has now completed the second phase, administering a total of 240,000 booster vaccines.
The Department says the vaccination programme remains a critical intervention in safeguarding livestock health, protecting the agricultural economy, and preventing the further spread of Foot-and-Mouth Disease across KwaZulu-Natal.
“The success of this programme demonstrates the importance of collaboration between government, farmers, and industry stakeholders in protecting one of the province’s most valuable agricultural assets.”
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