10 Mar 2015

The department of veterinary services has announced a suspected outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) at Maxebo cattle Crush (mogotlha) at Kareng in Ngamiland District.

The department recorded two recent resurgence of the disease in the Okavango area; one in June 2014 at sub-zone 2a in Mohembo East, while the other was at Chaa crush at sub-zone 2c in Tubu recorded in October 2014.

In the new outbreak at Kareng, a press release from the department  revealed that two sick cattle were cited at the loading facility, which was followed back to Maxebo crush and it involved one kraal so.

As a result, farmers were urged to be vigilant and report any suspicious cases to the nearest veterinary office.  They were also reminded that no animals should be moved from their areas until further notice. Farmers were further urged to cooperate with veterinary officials to have their animals vaccinated.

Meanwhile, in a recent interview, Dr Obakeng Kemolatlhe from the department of veterinary services said FMD outbreak in some areas of the Okavango Sub-district was under control.

He said that the department was doing its best to control and contain the disease in the affected areas noting that since October to date, no new cases were recorded, an indication that they were winning the battle through vaccination and movement control.

Investigations were ongoing to check in which areas they could release movement of animals noting that they would monitor the situation until zone 2c normalises. Dr Kemolatlhe appealed to farmers to join hands with his department and exercise 100 per cent vaccinations noting that they should ensure that all cattle were vaccinated.

He revealed that vaccination remained the only best option to control and contain the disease hence the need to do good vaccination coverage in the district. He added that the department had adopted control measures mainly in the form of vaccination, movement control, public awareness and fence maintenance. ENDS