The Botswana Vaccine Institute (BVI) has dispatched an emergency shipment of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccines to South Africa as authorities in the neighbouring country battle a fast-spreading outbreak threatening the livestock sector.
South Africa has confirmed multiple FMD outbreaks in key provinces – including Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal – prompting animal movement bans and export restrictions.
The disease, which affects cloven-hoofed animals, can lead to severe production losses and trade disruptions.
BVI, one of sub-Saharan Africa’s leading veterinary vaccine producers, said its intervention aims to contain the outbreak and protect regional agricultural economies.
“We are committed to assisting our country and neighbouring countries in managing
and eradicating FMD,” BVI chief executive Andrew Madeswi said on Wednesday.
Beyond vaccine delivery, the institute said it is available to provide technical support – ranging from disease surveillance to vaccination monitoring – to bolster South Africa’s response efforts.
JN/APA