Agricultural sector sounds alarm over illegal Kenyan foot-and-mouth vaccine threat

SOUTH African agricultural organisations have raised urgent concerns over reports that an illegal Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine manufactured in Kenya is being smuggled into the country.

- YOGASHEN PILLAY

MAJOR concern raised by agricultural associations that an illegal Kenyan vaccine against Foot-and-Mouth Disease is being potentially imported to South Africa.

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Industry leaders warn that the unauthorised importation and possible use of the vaccine poses a severe biosecurity threat that could trigger new outbreaks and devastate the livestock sector.

The Department of Agriculture this week confirmed it is aware of the risks, stressing that only the Botswana-produced Aftovaxpur vaccine containing SAT1, SAT2 and SAT3 strains is authorised for use in South Africa.