By Lebone Rodah Mosima
President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak a national disaster, describing it as the “worst” South Africa has experienced. He made the announcement during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) at Cape Town City Hall in the Western Cape.
Ramaphosa said the declaration would enable government to mobilise all necessary state resources to contain and eliminate the crisis.
“This disease is damaging our economy, resulting in export bans, trade restrictions and devastation of herds,” he said.
The government plans to vaccinate up to 14 million cattle, requiring 28 million vaccine doses over the next 12 months.
Ramaphosa said the state would centrally facilitate vaccine procurement to ensure the correct vaccines are secured for the specific strains present in South Africa.
“We will work closely with
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