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South Africa Declares National Disaster Over Foot-and-Mouth Disease

2/22/2026

29 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

South Africa declared a national disaster over its worst foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.
The outbreak has affected nearly all provinces and triggered import bans by countries such as China.
The government launched a vaccination campaign and received the first shipment of one million high-potency vaccines from Argentina.
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen says achieving "FMD-Free Status with Vaccination" could restore export markets.

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Story summary

South Africa declared a national disaster over its worst foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.
The outbreak has affected nearly all provinces and triggered import bans by countries such as China.
The government launched a vaccination campaign and received the first shipment of one million high-potency vaccines from Argentina.
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen says achieving "FMD-Free Status with Vaccination" could restore export markets.