Botswana Vaccine Institute Sends Emergency Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccines to South Africa Amid Alarming Outbreak

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In response to a rapidly escalating foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in South Africa, the Botswana Vaccine Institute (BVI) has mobilised an emergency consignment of vaccines to assist in containing the crisis, which is threatening to destabilise the region’s livestock industry and broader agricultural economy.

South African authorities have reported confirmed FMD outbreaks across several critical livestock-producing provinces, including Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal. The resurgence of the highly contagious disease has led to the imposition of animal movement restrictions and international export bans, further heightening the economic pressure on farmers and the agricultural supply chain.

Foot-and-mouth disease primarily affects cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats. While not a threat to human health, the virus spreads rapidly among livestock, often resulting in serious production losses due to lameness, fever, reduced milk output, and lower weight gain. Its presence also disrupts trade, as infected regions typically face strict export restrictions from global markets concerned about contagion risks.

The Botswana Vaccine Institute, recognized as one of the premier veterinary vaccine manufacturers in sub-Saharan Africa, responded swiftly to the outbreak with a shipment of urgently needed FMD vaccines. The institute emphasized that this intervention forms part of its broader mission to safeguard regional animal health and food security.

“Our role goes beyond national borders,” said BVI Chief Executive Officer Andrew Madeswi in a public statement on Wednesday. “We are committed to assisting our country and neighbouring countries in managing and eradicating foot-and-mouth disease.”

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In addition to vaccine supply, BVI has offered to extend its support by providing technical expertise to South Africa. This includes aiding in critical areas such as disease surveillance, vaccination program design, and post-vaccination monitoring. Such measures are essential in ensuring the effectiveness of the response and preventing further spread of the disease.

The collaboration highlights the importance of regional partnerships in managing transboundary animal diseases, especially those with high economic and trade implications. As southern Africa continues to face recurrent FMD challenges, institutions like BVI play a pivotal role in strengthening veterinary health systems and enhancing disease preparedness across the continent.