Foot and mouth disease | Another two million doses arrive in SA

The two million doses have just arrived at OR Tambo Airport. (Photo: Dunevax)

Dunevax Biotech has confirmed the arrival of a total of two million doses of FMD vaccine in South Africa. It is part of a shipment of six million doses being imported as part of the country’s ongoing fight against the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.

The doses are for strains SAT1, SAT2 and SAT3.

The company says the additional stock is part of ongoing and coordinated efforts to strengthen national biosecurity and ensure the protection of livestock, farmers and the agricultural economy.

Outbreaks continue in several regions, with containment measures revolving around movement control, surveillance and targeted vaccination strategies led by the Department of Agriculture and State Veterinarians.

The availability of additional doses of vaccine supports these efforts by enabling targeted intervention in high-risk areas and contributes to the larger goal of limiting the spread of the disease, the company says.

The vaccine is manufactured in Turkey. (Photo: Dunevax)

The vaccine is manufactured in Turkey.

As part of efforts to improve pharmaceutical oversight and field monitoring, the use of the vaccine can be measured on an app. These include tracking of different shipments, monitoring of application, improved observation after vaccination and improved transparency and availability to stakeholders.

The rest of the shipment is expected at OR Tambo Airport shortly.