Vaccination

The government is betting that swift action, long-term investment in vaccine production and stricter biosecurity will help contain FMD and restore stability to one of South Africa’s most valuable agricultural sectors.

However, the Kenya Veterinary Association (KVA) has voiced opposition to the rollout, citing risks they argue warrant a postponement of mass vaccination.

Kemin aims to expand its capabilities in contract vaccine research, development, and manufacturing to deliver science-backed solutions that safeguard animal welfare worldwide.

The scientists recommend further research into matching vaccines to virus types, while also exploring new vaccine designs that could provide broader protection.

While the situation right now is dire, South Africa hopes to ultimately achieve an FMD-free status without vaccination.

If approved, this FMD vaccine could redefine livestock immunisation, combining cutting-edge RNA technology with practical storage stability.

In related developments, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are working on an mRNA-based vaccine for African swine fever (ASF) that could be more effective than conventional vaccines.

Foot-and-mouth disease is a serious transboundary animal disease that deeply affects the production of livestock and disrupts regional and international trade in animals and animal products.

The vaccine is a live attenuated formulation aimed at protecting pigs from ASF, a highly contagious viral disease for which there had previously been no effective vaccine.

GLOBAL – A major step in the fight against African swine fever (ASF) was taken this year as the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)…