A critical shipment of 100,000 doses of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine arrived at Cape Town International Airport on the night of Tuesday, 10 March 2026. Premier Alan Winde confirmed the arrival of the Dollvet vaccines, which were immediately processed for distribution to high-risk agricultural zones.
This arrival marks a significant milestone in the Western Cape Government’s 21-point response plan. “Our Dollvet vaccines have finally arrived,” the Premier stated, expressing gratitude to key partners including the Milk Producers Organisation (MPO), National RPO, Agri Wes-Kaap, and Shoprite South Africa for their support in managing the crisis.
Vaccination Progress and Strategic Rollout
The provincial “War Room” has already coordinated the vaccination of 47,700 animals across the province. With the new 100,000-dose shipment, the Department of Agriculture is pushing to vaccinate the entire provincial herd to achieve comprehensive herd immunity.
The rollout is prioritized by region and risk level:
Target Districts: West Coast, Cape Winelands, and the Garden Route.
Operational Scale: Over 239 vaccination sites are active, supported by provincial state veterinarians and 29 registered private veterinarians.
Strategy: Vaccination is being deployed in five phases, starting with infected herds and expanding to high-risk dairy and beef herds.
Current Regional Case Status
The vaccination surge comes as authorities work to contain several active clusters:
Garden Route: As of 10 March, a 6th farm in the Mossel Bay area has been confirmed positive. This farm is located within a 10km radius of the original index case.
West Coast: A positive case was recently confirmed at Kalbaskraal (Swartland), leading to the establishment of a quarantine ring and nine local checkpoints.
Cape Metro: Surveillance continues in areas like Mfuleni and Makhaza to prevent the virus from reaching the critical Philippi farming hub.
Strict Movement Controls
To prevent further spread, the province has enforced rigorous roadblocks and Vehicle Control Points (VCPs).
Permit Requirement: No cloven-hoofed animals (cattle, sheep, goats, or pigs) may be moved into or within the Western Cape without a valid state vet permit.
Road Closures: In the Garden Route, several provincial roads (including Kleinvlei and Sandhoogte) remain restricted to residents only to limit vehicle-borne transmission.
Resources for Farmers
The Western Cape Government is urging all livestock owners to remain vigilant and utilize the following official resources:
WCG FMD Hotline: 080 928 4102 (Press 1 for FMD)
Garden Route Emergency Call Centre: 044 805 5071 or WhatsApp 081 709 5193
Livestock Movement App: Register and apply for permits at https://tinyurl.com/AnimalMovementApp
Official Outbreak Info: Visit the Elsenburg FMD Portal for biosecurity protocols and technical updates.
The arrival of the 100,000 Dollvet doses is a game-changer for the Western Cape’s agricultural sector. While new cases in the Garden Route and Swartland show the virus is still active, the province’s rapid response and mass vaccination drive are designed to protect the livelihoods of thousands of farmers and the future of South African exports. As the Premier noted, the government remains “by your side” to #GetItDone.