Core Viewpoint - The South African government has announced a ten-year phased national strategy to control foot-and-mouth disease, aiming to restore its "non-immunized disease-free zone" status lost in 2019, with a primary goal of reducing the incidence rate in high-risk provinces by over 70% within 12 months [1] Vaccine Procurement and Production Arrangements - The government plans to import 1 million doses of a trivalent vaccine targeting the South African strains (SAT1, 2, 3) from Argentina's Biogénesis Bagó, with a potential additional order of 5 million doses [2] - Collaboration with the Botswana Vaccine Institute has been established, confirming the availability of SAT2 vaccine raw material [3] - Import approval for the Turkish Dollvet vaccine has been granted [4] - Local production lines at ARC and OBP will commence, initially producing 20,000 doses per week, with plans to scale up to a capacity of 960,000 doses [5] - All vaccines will undergo antigen matching tests at the Pirbright Institute in the UK to ensure efficacy [6] Regional Control Measures - In high-risk provinces (KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Free State, North West): Large-scale vaccination will begin immediately, targeting 100% vaccination in feedlots and dairy farms, 90% in commercial farms, and 80% in public grazing areas [7] - In repeatedly infected areas (Mpumalanga, Limpopo): Vaccination will occur every six months in border hotspots, with wildlife monitoring and targeted immunization around protected areas [7] - In medium-high risk provinces (Eastern Cape): Vaccination in hotspot areas will occur every six months, with the establishment of protective zones and enhanced monitoring at markets and slaughterhouses [8] - In Western Cape: Targeted proactive monitoring has commenced since May 2025 [9] - Northern Cape: Currently the only province reporting no outbreaks [10] Technical Support and Traceability System - A digital heat map through the red meat industry service center will track outbreaks in real-time, monitoring suspected cases within a 10-kilometer radius [11] - Collaboration with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research will advance livestock identification and traceability systems, enhancing animal movement regulation [12] - Strengthening of the laboratory network led by the Agricultural Research Council's Veterinary Research Institute to improve testing efficiency [13] Collaborative Mechanism - A ministerial advisory group on animal disease control has been formed, bringing together experts from government, academia, and the private sector, reporting directly to the value chain roundtable [14] - The strategy emphasizes the importance of close cooperation between farmers and veterinary departments, urging timely reporting of outbreaks and strict adherence to movement controls [14]