MBABANE – Eswatini has recorded zero active foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) cases, allowing government to ease livestock controls while maintaining strict surveillance.
Minister for Agriculture Mandla Tshawuka yesterday announced that the country had reached a milestone following months of vaccination and monitoring campaigns.
“There are no new FMD cases and no active cases in the country at this time,” Tshawuka said during a press briefing at the Ministry of Agriculture.
However, the minister warned that the achievement did not mean the country would abandon disease control measures. Instead, he said government will replace wet checkpoints with dry checkpoints as part of a new biosecurity approach.
Expanding, he said the shift means livestock movement controls will continue, but with a greater focus on permits, animal health certificates and verification of cattle movements rather than vehicle and personnel disinfection.
Tshawuka said the new system would improve efficiency while protecting Eswatini’s livestock industry and preserving access to regional and international markets.
“When FMD breaks out, markets close and prices fall. Our responsibility is to prevent that,” he said.
The minister said 453 629 cattle out of an estimated national herd of 550 000 had been vaccinated, representing 82 per cent coverage.
He said 783 000 vaccine doses had been administered for second doses, with overall herd immunity currently standing at 60.8 per cent.
Tshawuka said the ministry would conduct a mopping exercise over the next two weeks to reach farms and areas missed during previous vaccination rounds.
“We are not done yet. The mopping exercise is critical to ensure every animal that should be vaccinated is covered,” he said.
Despite the absence of active cases, the minister said movement controls would remain because evidence of FMD had been detected in most parts of the country, except some areas of Hhohho.
Dry checkpoints will be strategically placed along high-risk corridors and border areas to monitor livestock movement.
The minister said illegal movement of cattle remained one of the biggest threats to the country’s FMD-free status.
“Trespassing of cattle with FMD is one of our biggest risks,” Tshawuka said.
He added that government was working with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), law enforcement agencies and communities to strengthen disease prevention.
Government has repaired 26km of the country’s border fence with assistance from the FAO as part of efforts to prevent illegal livestock movement.
The project falls under a E15 million budget aimed at improving border protection.
Tshawuka said additional sections of the fence would be prioritised during the next phase, depending on available resources.
The minister said maintaining disease-free status was critical for protecting farmers’ livelihoods and sustaining trade opportunities.
Meanwhile, Tshawuka warned farmers about the detection of Lumpy Skin Disease in the country.
He urged livestock owners to report animals showing symptoms including skin nodules, fever, swollen lymph nodes and reduced milk production.
The ministry said it was conducting awareness campaigns and would issue further control measures.
Farmers have been encouraged to cooperate with veterinary teams, follow vaccination schedules and immediately report suspected disease cases.
Tshawuka also announced that this year’s National Farmers’ Day will be held on July 30 in Siteki.
The event will showcase locally produced agricultural products and recognise farmers from across the country.
A competition will be held to identify the best produce in categories covering crops, livestock products and value-added goods.
The ministry said the event would promote market opportunities, encourage productivity and highlight agriculture’s contribution to food security and economic growth.
