The vaccination challenges, government obligations, and legal implications surrounding Foot-and-Mouth Disease
Lucinde and Liëtte explained that FMD is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, goats, sheep, and pigs. Although it poses no food safety risk to humans, the disease can have severe economic consequences, including reduced productivity, livestock losses, export restrictions, and broader disruptions to the agricultural sector.
They further noted that South Africa’s livestock sector, valued at approximately R80 billion, is particularly vulnerable during multi-province outbreaks such as the current one. As one of the most economically devastating livestock diseases globally, FMD continues to present a significant and recurring threat to South Africa’s agricultural industry.
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