About 43 000 various animal species have been vaccinated against the Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Beitbridge, Matabeleland South.
This was revealed in the Swine Disease Global Surveillance Report prepared by the Centre for Animal Health and Food Safety at the University of Minnesota from September 2 to October 6 this year.
The report that deals with the Swine disease at global level further highlights that African countries, namely, Eswatini, South Africa and Zimbabwe, reported significant FMD disease events, as well as control efforts in September this year.
It further indicated that Eswatini and South Africa continued to report SAT2 outbreaks in domestic cattle.
According to the report, authorities in Zimbabwe intensified measures to control FMD in Matabeleland province.
“According to local reports in Zimbabwe, the Department of Veterinary Services intensified efforts to control FMD in Beitbridge district, where 42 944 animals (species not specified) had been vaccinated by September 29,” it said.
“The outbreak, first detected in June 2025 in Beitbridge West, has since spread to Beitbridge East, which is currently the worst-affected area.
“Authorities have introduced strict livestock movement controls, quarantined affected animals, including cattle, goats, pigs and sheep, and rolled out a comprehensive vaccination programme.”
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The report further indicated that surveillance and inspections are ongoing, with more than 400 cases reported to date.
“In addition, public awareness campaigns are underway to educate farmers on prevention and control measures, emphasising recognition of common FMD symptoms such as blisters on the mouth and feet, excessive salivation, lameness, fever, reduced productivity and weight loss,” it said.
In Eswatini, nine new SAT2 Foot-and-mouth disease virus outbreaks were reported in domestic cattle.
As of September, nine new FMD outbreaks were reported in the Lubombo and Shiselweni regions of Eswatini, according to the country’s follow-up report to World Organisation for Animal (WOAH).
“A total of 30 new cases were detected among an unspecified number of susceptible cattle, while 3 126 cattle were vaccinated in response.
“These outbreaks are part of an ongoing event that began in July 2025, which has so far resulted in 46 unresolved outbreaks, 2 623 reported cases and around 42 000 cattle considered at risk.
“Control measures, including surveillance, traceability and vaccination, are being implemented. To date, 33 227 cattle have been vaccinated in the affected areas.”
The report said as part of efforts to vaccinate a large number of at-risk animals, the Agriculture ministry procured 150 000 doses of FMD vaccine from Botswana and had plans for a vaccination campaign in the Lubombo region.
In South Africa as of October 3, the report said 26 new FMD SAT2 outbreaks were reported in four provinces.
“In a follow-up report to WOAH, authorities confirmed 26 new FMD outbreaks in September across Free State, North West, Gauteng and Mpumalanga, with 24 cases and 5 537 new susceptible domestic cattle. Overall, 333 outbreaks remain unresolved across KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, North West, Gauteng and Mpumalanga," it said.
