Cape Town – Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has announced the first-ever mass vaccination of poultry in South Africa to protect the local flock from avian influenza.
“Our vaccination team, comprised of poultry specialist vets from the University of Pretoria, along with the Agricultural Research Council, has received a list of farms to be vaccinated from the poultry industry and is prioritising high-risk areas and commercial flocks to contain the virus and prevent further culling,” the minister said Thursday, 5 June 2025.
“We have secured vaccine supply, ensured cold chain capacity, and are building in traceability and reporting mechanisms as part of a wider preparedness strategy.”
In addition to this, 50 animal health technicians have been appointed on short-term contract to assist with the vaccination rollout.
Their induction and refresher training is expected to start next week.
Foot-and-mouth- disease outbreak
Regarding the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak, Minister Steenhuisen announced that the Department of Agriculture has ordered vaccines to cover KwaZulu-Natal.
Meanwhile, the assessment, as well forward and backward tracing of the outbreak in Gauteng is ongoing.
Minister Steenhuisen said more than 900 000 doses of vaccines were ordered, and the first batch is expected to arrive next week.
“These plans are not only about responding to outbreaks, but also about building permanent infrastructure to manage future risks,” explained the minister.
“More broadly, we are establishing a Biosecurity Council that will bring together the South African Police Service (SAPS), veterinarians, scientists, the Border Management Authority, and industry.
“We are rolling out a farm-to-fork national traceability system for livestock.”
Minister Steenhuisen said Onderstepoort Biological Products was also being upgraded to restore vaccine self-sufficiency and rural veterinary services and emergency response are enhanced.
He said the dip tank model in partnership with traditional leaders were also being introduced.
“Biosecurity is not an agricultural issue alone. It is a national security issue, and we are treating it as such,” the minister said.
