23 Jul 2015

Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Mr Fidelis Molao, says veterinary experts have confirmed that a clinical picture taken from a crush in Parakarungu was consistent with that of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD.)    

Speaking during a kgotla meeting recently, Mr Molao said the reported case was in an isolated privately owned crush known as Alec Ntema’s crush, 25km south west of Satau.

He said a clinical inspection of 218 cattle had shown that the FMD could have been introduced around May or the first week of June, and that the rest of the animals surrounding the crush were clinically free from any signs consistent with FMD.

He said investigations had shown that the disease was confined to the stated crush, and that this was the result of joint efforts between veterinary officers and Parakarungu and Satau residents.

“Farmers and veterinary officers in the Chobe region are known to have herdsmen who keep cattle in kraals and ensure that they receive regular injections and abide by disease control measures,” he added.

Mr Molao assured residents that veterinary officers would continue to assess the situation, and that hopefully in the near future the disease would be cured.

He further noted that the medicine used to cure FMD was manufactured in Botswana and exported to other countries.  

Veterinary services deputy director, Dr Letlogile Oarabile said control measures have been put into place to prevent the spread of the disease.

“If there is a wedding or funeral and a cow is donated, a veterinary officer should inspect the beast before it is killed and prepared in one location,” he explained.

A resident, Mr Sangwana Sangwana said during the dry season cattle from neighbouring countries roam into Botswana, and that this could result in a FMD outbreak. “How can we prevent our cattle from coming into contact with other animals from neighbouring countries,” he asked. Ends