Gauteng government's R16m push to curb foot-and-mouth disease

The Gauteng government intensified efforts to contain the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, citing the province’s status as a national logistics hub as a key risk factor.

Since the outbreak was detected in 2025, it has adopted an accelerated multi-stakeholder response aligned with the national strategy to suppress the virus and restore a disease-free status.

About R16 million was allocated for vaccines and related interventions.

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Premier Panyaza Lesufi said 286,000 vaccine doses had been administered, with 90,000 more vaccines expected at the end of March.

“And this intervention will have implications in terms of movement in our province and the handling of animals, but also the need for us to make sure it doesn't harm the economy of our provinces because if it harms the economy of our province, you will see the escalation in prices of especially beef and other related prices that may make food security difficult,” Lesufi said.