What's happened
South Africa faces a severe foot-and-mouth disease outbreak affecting over 297,000 cattle, with vaccination efforts underway amid export bans and economic impacts. Meanwhile, Uganda and Cyprus are also battling outbreaks, prompting quarantine and vaccination measures. The crisis threatens food supply and livelihoods worldwide.
What's behind the headline?
The global foot-and-mouth disease crisis reveals vulnerabilities in livestock biosecurity. South Africa's vaccination rollout, hampered by limited vaccine supplies, underscores the challenge of controlling highly contagious animal diseases. The outbreak's spread to Uganda and Cyprus highlights regional risks, especially where border controls and biosecurity measures are weak. The economic fallout, including export bans and reduced meat supply, will likely persist, impacting farmers and consumers. Governments must prioritize rapid vaccine procurement and enforce strict quarantine protocols to contain the disease. The crisis also exposes the need for international cooperation to prevent future outbreaks and safeguard global food security.
What the papers say
The Independent reports on South Africa's vaccination efforts and economic impacts, emphasizing the outbreak's severity and government response. AP News highlights the ongoing spread and the challenges faced by farmers, with a focus on the economic and trade disruptions. All Africa details Uganda's containment measures, including quarantine and vaccination, and the social tensions arising from non-compliance. These contrasting perspectives underscore the complexity of managing a transnational animal health crisis, with each country facing unique challenges but sharing common vulnerabilities.
How we got here
The outbreak began in late 2025, with South Africa experiencing rapid spread across its livestock industry, especially in KwaZulu-Natal. The disease, highly contagious among cloven-hoofed animals, has led to mass culling and trade restrictions. Similar outbreaks in Uganda and Cyprus have prompted government responses, including quarantine and vaccination campaigns, amid concerns over economic and food security impacts.
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Common question
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How Serious Is the Current Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreak?
The recent global spread of foot-and-mouth disease has raised concerns among farmers, governments, and consumers. With outbreaks in South Africa, Uganda, and Cyprus, many are asking how severe this crisis really is and what it means for food security and trade. Below, we explore the key questions about this outbreak, its impact, and what measures are being taken to control it.
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John Henry Steenhuisen is a South African politician who has served as the leader of the Opposition since October 2019 and has been the federal leader of the Democratic Alliance since November 2020, having served as the interim leader for one year from No
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South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa, is the southernmost country in Africa. With over 59 million people, it is the world's 24th-most populous nation and covers an area of 1,221,037 square kilometres.