The Western Cape has received an additional 50,000 Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine doses, boosting the province’s response to the outbreak.

Over the weekend, Premier Alan Winde and Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism MEC, Dr Ivan Meyer, announced the fresh shipment of vaccines.

Winde says efforts to combat FMD are making strong progress.

“This latest shipment will further bolster our drive to vaccinate the province’s entire herd and is critical in protecting our economy and jobs. I want to thank all our partners who continue to work with us in containing and ultimately eradicating FMD in our province.”

This latest allocation was made possible through the partnership with Dairy Management Consulting.

More than 155, 000 vaccine doses have so far been administered across 629 vaccination sites, with the support of 29 private veterinarians.

Winde says the province will also continue to push to procure its own FMD vaccines, which he says will further streamline and strengthen the response to the outbreak.

While the outbreak remains under control, the Premier stressed the importance of continued vigilance.

“We must remain alert and agile. By working together, we can protect both our provincial herd and our economy.”

Dr Meyer emphasised the importance of strengthened control measures.

“We continue to prioritise the strengthening of systems that monitor and manage animal movement across the province. These controls are one of our most important lines of defence against the further spread of FMD.”

Apart from the assistance of Dairy Management Consulting, the Western Cape Government has also thanked Nova Feeds for paying for the cost of the flight that transported the latest FMD vaccine consignment to the province.